In 1972, Air Force Captain Charles DeBellevue made history from the back seat of an F-4 Phantom. As a Weapons Systems Officer with the legendary 555th “Triple Nickel” Squadron, DeBellevue helped guide his pilots into combat against North Vietnam’s deadly MiGs and emerged as the war’s leading U.S. ace.

He flew 220 combat missions, 96 over hostile territory, and was one of only two WSOs in U.S. history to earn ace status. For his skill and courage, he was awarded the Air Force Cross.

Air Force Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Charles B. DeBellevue (AFSN: 0-3210693), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer in the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action on 9 September 1972. On that date, while protecting a large strike force attacking a high priority target deep in hostile territory, Captain DeBellevue engaged and destroyed a hostile aircraft. Through superior judgment and use of aircraft capabilities and in complete disregard for his own safety, Captain DeBellevue was successful in destroying his fifth hostile aircraft, a North Vietnamese MiG-19. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Captain DeBellevue reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

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