Dethlefsen, Merlyn Hans, Col

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Major (then Capt.), U.S. Air Force.

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

Entered service at: Royal, Iowa. Born: 29 June 1934, Greenville, Iowa.

Citation to Accompany the Award of the Medal of Honor:
 
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.


Biography: (from http://www.iowahistory.org/museum/exhibits/medal-of-honor/ )

Merlyn Dethlefsen was born on a farm in Greenville, Iowa, June 29, 1934. His father, Williard, was a farmer. His mother, Norma, was a schoolteacher. When Merlyn was a child, the family moved to a farm near Royal, Iowa. He graduated with honors from Royal High School in 1951, at age 16. Dethlefsen attended Iowa State University for two years before enlisting in the Air Force. Dethlefsen enlisted in the Air Force as an airman in 1953. He earned his navigatorâ??s wings and commission through the aviation cadet program in 1955. He attended the United States Air War College and taught at the U.S. Army War College. Once back from Vietnam, he was stationed for a time at the Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. He retired from the Air Force in 1977 as the director of operations, 96 Bombardment Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, SAC, in Abilene, Texas.
In 1965, he earned his college degree from University of Nebraska, Omaha, with a major in business. He earned a Masterâ??s degree in psychology in 1972, from Troy State University.