CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

 

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to

USS MIDWAY (CVA-41)
and
ATTACK CARRIER AIR WING FIVE (CVW-5)

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

    For meritorious service from 7 May 1971 to 28 October
1971 while conducting sustained and successful combat opera-
tions in Southeast Asia as a unit of the Attack Carrier Striking
Force, U. S. SEVENTH Fleet. While on her first deployment
since undergoing extensive conversion and modernization, USS
MIDWAY and embarked Attack Carrier Air Wing FIVE skill-
fully executed all their assigned missions. These missions in-
cluded thousands of combat and combat support sorties against
the enemy, delivering over 8,000 tons of ordnance while strik-
ing enemy logistic and military installations and lines of com-
munications in Southeast Asia. All operations were carried out
with effectiveness, tenacity, and great ingenuity despite the fact
that they were conducted largely during the southwest monsoon
season, with attendant poor target area weather. The determined
efforts and highly professional skill demonstrated by all hands
resulted in prompt, reliable, and successful completion of as-
signed tasks, and reflected great credit upon the officers and
men of USS MIDWAY and Attack Carrier Air Wing FIVE, their
ship, and the United States Naval Service.

For the Secretary,     
E. R. Zumwalt, Jr.     
Admiral, United States Navy     
Chief of Naval Operations     

   By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, I have today awarded

THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (NAVY)


FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM TO


USS MIDWAY (CVA-41)
and
ATTACK CARRIER AIR WING FIVE (CVW-5)

      For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty
in action against enemy forces in Southeast Asia from 30 April 1972 to
9 February 1973. During this crucial period of the Vietnam conflict, USS
MIDWAY and embarked Attack Carrier Air Wing FIVE carried out dev-
astating aerial attacks against enemy installations, transportation, and
lines of communications in the face of extremely heavy opposition includ-
ing multi-calibre antiaircraft artillery fire and surface-to-air missiles.
Displaying superb airmanship and unwavering courage, MIDWAY/CVW-5
pilots played a significant role in lifting the prolonged sieges at An Loc,
Kontum, and Quang Tri and in carrying out the concentrated aerial strikes
against the enemy's industrial heartland which eventually resulted in a
cease-fire. By their excellent teamwork, dedication, and sustained supe-
rior performance, the officers and men of MIDWAY and Attack Carrier
Air Wing FIVE reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the
highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Richard Nixon