Paul John Mongillo

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Paul John Mongillo (3087591), Major, U.S. Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Thunderchief Electronics Warfare Officer against an isolated vital military target near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 16 December 1967. On that date, Major Mongillo braved many concentrations of heavy antiaircraft artillery fire and eighteen surface-to-air missiles as he successfully led his missile suppression flight in diverting the hostile defenses away from the main strike force. He contributed to the destruction of one missile site only three miles from the center of the heavily defended target area and damaged at least one other missile complex. As a result of his actions, the main strike force suffered no losses, encountered only four missiles, and successfully destroyed this vital military target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Mongillo reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.