Medal of Honor: Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen – U.S. Air Force – Vietnam War

Name: Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen
Rank: Major (then Captain)
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Aircraft: F-105 Thunderchief
Place: Over North Vietnam
Entered Service At: Royal, Iowa
Born: 29 June 1934, Greenville, Iowa

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Summary of Action

On March 10, 1967, Captain Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen flew an F-105 Thunderchief as part of a mission to suppress a heavily defended North Vietnamese antiaircraft complex.

The defensive network protected an important industrial target that U.S. fighter-bombers were scheduled to attack immediately after the suppression strike.

The target area was one of the most heavily defended in North Vietnam.

It contained surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries, dense antiaircraft artillery, and automatic weapons.

During the first attack run, the lead aircraft in the formation was crippled and Dethlefsen’s own aircraft was badly damaged by enemy fire.

Realizing that the success of the entire strike mission now depended on him, he continued the attack.

Ignoring the severe damage to his aircraft and the intense enemy defenses, he repeatedly dived back into the target area.

Under constant antiaircraft fire, SAM launches, and attacks by MiG interceptors, Dethlefsen made multiple low-level attack runs, striking the enemy positions with bombs and cannon fire.

One by one, the antiaircraft and missile sites were silenced.

His relentless attacks neutralized the defensive complex.

Because of his actions, the following wave of fighter-bombers was able to strike the industrial target without losing a single aircraft.

Major Dethlefsen’s courage, skill, and determination in the face of overwhelming enemy defenses exemplified the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

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Medal of Honor Citation

DETHLEFSEN, MERLYN HANS

Place and date: In the air over North Vietnam, 10 March 1967.

Born: 29 June 1934, Greenville, Iowa.

Maj. Dethlefsen was 1 of a flight of F-105 aircraft engaged in a fire suppression mission designed to destroy a key antiaircraft defensive complex containing surface-to-air missiles (SAM), an exceptionally heavy concentration of antiaircraft artillery, and other automatic weapons. The defensive network was situated to dominate the approach and provide protection to an important North Vietnam industrial center that was scheduled to be attacked by fighter bombers immediately after the strike by Maj. Dethlefsen’s flight. In the initial attack on the defensive complex the lead aircraft was crippled, and Maj. Dethlefsen’s aircraft was extensively damaged by the intense enemy fire. Realizing that the success of the impending fighter bomber attack on the center now depended on his ability to effectively suppress the defensive fire, Maj. Dethlefsen ignored the enemy’s overwhelming firepower and the damage to his aircraft and pressed his attack. Despite a continuing hail of antiaircraft fire, deadly surface-to-air missiles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors, Maj. Dethlefsen flew repeated close-range strikes to silence the enemy defensive positions with bombs and cannon fire. His action in rendering ineffective the defensive SAM and antiaircraft artillery sites enabled the ensuing fighter bombers to strike successfully the important industrial target without loss or damage to their aircraft, thereby appreciably reducing the enemy’s ability to provide essential war material. Maj. Dethlefsen’s consummate skill and selfless dedication to this significant mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.