Fred Bardshar

Frederic Abshire Bardshar
Frederic Abshire Bardshar
Born	20 October 1915; Seattle, Washington
Died	13 September 1993 (aged 77); La Jolla, San Diego, California
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1934–1972
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands	Task Force 77; Carrier Division Seven; USS Constellation; USS Pawcatuck; Air Transport Squadron 32; Air Group 27; VF-27
Battles / wars	World War II; Vietnam War
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Legion of Merit (4); Distinguished Flying Cross (3); Air Medal (6)

Vice Admiral Frederic Abshire Bardshar (20 October 1915 – 13 September 1993) was an American World War II air ace,^[1] who later became Commander of United States Navy Task Force 77 and Carrier Division Five during the Vietnam War.^[2]

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 USS Princeton.^[3]

1960s

From November 1963 to November 1964, Captain Bardshar was the third Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Constellation.^[4] In 1969, Rear Admiral Bardshar led an investigation into the fire aboard the USS Enterprise 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.^[5] 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 USS America.^[6]

Bardshar died at La Jolla, San Diego, on 13 September 1993.^[7]

Awards and decorations

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

References

^ "United States Navy and Marine Corps Aces". Naval Historical Center. Archived from the original on 1997-02-06. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
^ "USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63) Command History" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
^ Karig, Walter (March 2007). Battle Report – the End of an Empire By Karig. READ BOOKS. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-4067-5405-6.
^ "Commanding Officers of the United States Ship Constellation (CVA/CV-64)". U.S.S. Constellation CVA/CV-64 Association. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
^ "Nixon, Kissinger, and the Madman Strategy during Vietnam War".
^ "America". Naval Historical Center. Archived from the original on 2007-08-15. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
^ "Social Security Death Index". Retrieved 2007-10-10.

External links

Photo of Bardshar with Marcos

[1] "United States Navy and Marine Corps Aces". Naval Historical Center. Archived from the original on 1997-02-06. Retrieved 2007-10-10.

[2] "USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63) Command History" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2007-10-10.

[3] Karig, Walter (March 2007). Battle Report – the End of an Empire By Karig. READ BOOKS. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-4067-5405-6.

[4] "Commanding Officers of the United States Ship Constellation (CVA/CV-64)". U.S.S. Constellation CVA/CV-64 Association. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01. Retrieved 2007-10-10.

[5] "Nixon, Kissinger, and the Madman Strategy during Vietnam War".

[6] "America". Naval Historical Center. Archived from the original on 2007-08-15. Retrieved 2007-10-10.

[7] "Social Security Death Index". Retrieved 2007-10-10.

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