Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 2 Line: 6

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Mark Neubauer

Major Robert E. Neubauer distinguished himself by gallantry in operations against an opposing armed force near Quang Tri, Republic of South Vietnam on 6 October 1966 while flying his unarmed 01 spotter plane operating as a Forward Air Controller.

The hostile force occupied a trench area less than one mile south of the demilitarized Zone and had successfully stopped the advancement of a battalion who had suffered considerable losses the day before.

Because of an aircraft electrical malfunction, only one of Major Neubauer's four marking rockets fired, requiring him to fly directly over the enemy position in order to drop smoke grenades to the point the way for the fighters on each striking run. Major Neubauer had directed 10 fighter sorties on enemy positions under marginal conditions of 1000' overcast and less than 2 miles of visibility in rain showers while dropping smoke grenades 12 times causing his aircraft to be subjected to small arms and automatic weapons fire on 5 of the marking runs. It was not until the 6th marking run was he able to pass over the target without receiving direct ground fire.

Because of the close proximity of friendly forces to the hostile enemy position Major Neubauer could have elected to terminate the bombing and napalm drops when he discovered he could not mark the target with his smoke rockets. Instead, he decided to repeatedly fly directly over the hostile position in order to provide the marking accuracy necessary to insure the friendly troops would not he hit. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Neubauer has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Robert E. Neubauer, (Lt. Col) retired from active duty in April 1972 having been awarded decorations, metals and commendations to include fourteen Air Metals, the Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Commendation Metal, Meritorious Service Metal, Air Force Commendation (one oak leaf cluster), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Service Metal, Vietnam Service Metal, Vietnamese Medal of Honor. Col. Neubauer flew 372 combat missions while in Vietnam accumulating 620 combat flying hours.