AIR COMMANDO 2 Lapham, Robert Grantham

Craig Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Lapham
  • FORENAME
Robert Grantham
  • UNIT
602 Fighter Squadron (14 Air Commando Wing)
  • RANK
Major
  • NUMBER
0-16173573
  • AWARD
Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross x 3
  • PLACE
Vietnam 1967, 1968
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - See Roll of Honour
 

ROLL OF HONOUR:

https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/lapham-robert-grantham.45986/

CITATION:

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Robert Granthan Lapham (AFSN: 0-16173573), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as an A-1E Pilot of the 602d Fighter Squadron, 14th Air Commando Wing, in action against the enemy in Southeast Asia on 8 February 1968. On that date, Major Lapham led his flight of two A-1E Skyraiders against a column of three hostile tanks attacking friendly troops. In the face of intense ground fire, Major Lapham scored a direct hit which completely destroyed the lead tank and broke the attack. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Lapham has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major Robert Granthan Lapham (AFSN: 0-16173573), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Pilot of the 602d Fighter Squadron, 14th Air Commando Wing, in Southeast Asia on 6 October 1967. On that date, Major Lapham participated in a successful emergency extraction of a friendly team which had become surrounded and was in immediate danger of being overrun. Major Lapham delivered all his ordnance on target, accounting for many hostile casualties and allowing the entrapped team to be rescued, without injury. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Lapham reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" (Posthumously) to Major Robert Granthan Lapham (AFSN: 0-16173573), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Pilot of the 602d Fighter Squadron, 14th Air Commando Wing, in Southeast Asia on 29 December 1967. On that date, Major Lapham was flying number two aircraft in a flight of two A-1E Skyraiders in support of friendly ground troops pinned down by a well-entrenched, numerically superior hostile force. Despite intense ground fire, Major Lapham made repeated low level, devastating attacks against the entrenched gun positions, delivering his ordnance with pinpoint accuracy, killing 25 hostile troops and permitting the safe evacuation of the friendly team. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Lapham reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross (Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" (Posthumously) to Major Robert Granthan Lapham (AFSN: 0-16173573), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Pilot of the 602d Fighter Squadron, 14th Air Commando Wing, in Southeast Asia on 15 January 1968. On that date, Major Lapham led his flight of two A-1E Skyraiders against a vital storage area. Despite intense, accurate ground fire from hostile forces, which inflicted sixteen damaging hits on his aircraft, Major Lapham, with unwavering calmness and courage, made repeated attacks against the hostile positions, silencing the ground fire and completely destroying the target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Lapham reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/90994
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