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

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Captain Robert L. Frantz
The Distinguished Flying Cross was presented to Captain Robert L. Frantz, United States Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following citation:
For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Fighter / Attack Squadron 334, Marine Aircraft Group Thirteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 11 July 1969, Captain Frantz launched as Wingman in a flight of two F-4 Phantom aircraft assigned to support the emergency extraction of a Marine reconnaissance team which was surrounded by a large North Vietnamese Army force in a mountainous area. Arriving over the designated location, he learned that the hostile unit was as close as fifty meters to the Marines and that a previous extraction attempt had been aborted because of intense enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Frantz commenced his attack against the North Vietnamese Army soldiers and despite a heavy volume of hostile fire, relentlessly pressed his assault during numerous low-altitude runs. Although turbulent winds constituted a constant threat to accuracy, due to this superb airmanship, he delivered his ordnance on target unerringly, thereby enabling the team to be extracted from its critical position. Captain Frantz' courage, superior aeronautical ability, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger inspired all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.