Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 1 Line: 8

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

The citation to accompany the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Charles Henry Bonham, Sr reads:

Technical Sergeant Charles Henry Bonham, Sr. distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an EC-47 Airborne Morse Systems Operator at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam on 12 January 1972. Sergeant Bonham flew a long and arduous mission through adverse weather conditions and through the constant threat of hostile ground fire and attack. In spite of this, he superbly accomplished this highly intricate and hazardous mission in support of free world forces combating aggression. Sergeant Bonham successfully obtained a radio direction finding fix on a critically important and priority enemy radio transmitter and immediately passed this important intelligence information to Ground Direct Support Units. Acting on this intelligence information, Ground Direct Support Units successfully engaged the enemy in the U Minh Forest which resulted in 9 VC KIA, the destruction of 6 structures and 16 enemy watercraft, and the capture of valuable enemy classified documents. Through his personal bravery and the energetic application of his knowledge and skill, Sergeant Bonham significantly furthered the goal of the United States in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bonham reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.