Fred Bardshar

Template:Template other Vice Admiral Frederic Abshire Bardshar (20 October 1915 – 13 September 1993) was an American World War II air ace, who later became Commander of United States Navy Task Force 77 and Carrier Division Five during the Vietnam War.

Military career

World War II

During World War II, Lieutenant Commander Bardshar piloted a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat, and was credited with eight kills at the Philippines during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in 1944. He was made commander of Air Group 27, based aboard .

1960s

From November 1963 to November 1964, Captain Bardshar was the third Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier . In 1969, Rear Admiral Bardshar led an investigation into the fire aboard the when a Zuni rocket misfired, resulting in the deaths of 27 crew, and 314 more injured.

Vietnam War

Bardshar commanded the Constellation during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident from which he led the first U.S. attacks on Vietnam. Later he served two tours with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As Vice Director of Operations he led the planning for Operation Duck Hook to escalate U.S. involvement, eventually denied by President Nixon. As commander of Task Force 77 he was involved in Operation Ivory Coast, to liberate 55 American pilots from Son Tay POW camp. On 20 August 1970, Vice Admiral Bardshar hosted the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, aboard the aircraft carrier .

Bardshar died at La Jolla, San Diego, on 13 September 1993.

Awards and decorations

File:Naval Aviator Badge.png
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Template:Ribbon devices/alt	V Gold star Gold star Gold star Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Gold star Gold star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Silver star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	V Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Bronze star Bronze star Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Silver star Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Bronze star Bronze star Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Bronze star File:Phliber rib.svg	Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Template:Ribbon devices/alt

Naval Aviator Badge
Navy Distinguished Service Medal	Silver Star	Legion of Merit w/ Combat "V" and three 5⁄16" Gold Stars
Distinguished Flying Cross w/ two 5⁄16" Gold Stars	Air Medal w/ 5⁄16" Silver Star	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Combat "V"
Combat Action Ribbon	Navy Unit Commendation w/ three 3⁄16" Bronze Stars	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
American Defense Service Medal w/ one 3⁄16" Bronze Star	American Campaign Medal	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ one 3⁄16" Silver Star
World War II Victory Medal	Navy Occupation Service Medal w/ 'Japan' clasp	National Defense Service Medal w/ one 3⁄16" Bronze Star
Vietnam Service Medal w/ three 3⁄16" Bronze Stars	National Order of Vietnam (Commander)	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Philippine Liberation Medal w/ one 3⁄16" Bronze Star	Philippine Independence Medal	Vietnam Campaign Medal

External links

• Photo of Bardshar with Marcos