Brig Gen Cardile graduated U.S. Military Academy in 1963 and commissioned as 2d Lt. He entered pilot training, Williams AFB. After graduation, he was assigned to 436th AW Dover AFB as C-133 pilot and later attended helicopter conversion course Sheppard AFB. He had a tour of duty as HH-3E pilot, 37th ARRS Da Nang AB; he flew 97 combat rescue missions, 30+ over North Vietnam.
Graduating Stanford, he was an instructor and Assistant Professor of Mechanics, USMA. Graduating Air Command and Staff College, he was Development Engineer and Executive Secretary to DIA Scientific Advisory Committee.
General Cardile was assigned as operations officer and Squadron Commander, 71st ARRS Elmendorf AFB. After Industrial College of the Armed Forces, served as Chief of the Management Policy and Congressional Activities Divisions, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for RD&A, HQ U.S. Air Force. Assigned as Vice Commander of 62nd AW McChord AFB, and Commander of 374th Tactical AW Clark AB, and Deputy Commander for Tactical Systems, Electronic Systems Division Hanscom AFB. He was Vice Commander of 21st AF, McGuire AFB 438th AW, until retirement in 1992.
With 4200+ flying hours, his awards and decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross w/ Oak Leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal w/ Oak Leaf cluster, Air Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Silver Star for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force. He attempted the rescue of a downed fighter pilot who was surrounded by hostile forces. After his aircraft was hit and driven off by intense hostile fire during one approach, he attempted to recover a pilot whose capture appeared imminent. He persisted in the recovery effort until his helicopter was disabled and on fire.
Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second Silver Star, he flew over hostile territory in low overcast weather to reach the survivors from 6 downed US helicopters. Forced by opposing fire to abandon his first approach, he persisted in the rescue attempt until the most severely wounded survivors were rescued when fuel shortage, aircraft malfunctions and the critical wounds of the survivors compelled him to leave the rescue.