The view from an OV-10A Bronco aircraft from the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (19th TASS), ...

The view from an OV-10A Bronco aircraft from the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (19th TASS), United States Air Force (USAF), during an air strike against the Viet Cong (VC). The Bronco is being piloted by 021511 Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) (later Air Vice Marshal) Graham Wallace Neil, RAAF. Whilst on a routine Visual Reconnaissance mission Sqn Ldr Neil and his back seater, 44135 Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Ian Semmler, RAAF, were summoned as Forward Air Controllers (FAC) to assist a United States (US) armoured convoy, returning from Cambodia, which had been ambushed by the VC. Concurrently, four kilometres to the South, a second VC attack (mortar and small arms) was being made against a US base camp at Trai Bi. While waiting for the requested strike aircraft to arrive, Sqn Ldr Neil went into action in support of the convoy first. He fired high explosive rockets and made strafing runs with his machine guns along the roadside until the enemy broke contact. He then provided covering fire to allow the US dust off helicopters in and extract the wounded. Sqn Ldr Neil then turned his attention to the base camp at Trai Bi. Using his remaining ammunition to suppress enemy positions in a tree line west of the camp he called in two more OV-10A's that were close by and directed them onto the targets. The requested F-100 and A-37 Dragonflies attack aircraft arrived shortly after and these were directed onto the targets too, co-ordinating their passes with US helicopter gun ships. With his Bronco running very low on fuel, a new FAC took over, allowing Sqn Ldr Neil and Flt Lt Semmler to land at the nearest airfield (Tay Ninh West) and refuel. For his actions on this day, Sqn Ldr Neil was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.