On July 29 , 1967 , Zlatoper , then a Lieutenant , kept a careful record of events in the squadron duty officer log of the 1967 USS Forrestal fire . He has received numerous personal decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal ; the Navy Distinguished Service Medal ; the Legion of Merit ; the Distinguished Flying Cross ; the Meritorious Service Medal ; the Air Medal ; and the Navy Commendation Medal ( with Combat " V " ) ; plus various campaign and unit awards . He is the honored recipient of the Japanese Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun and the Korean Presidential Tong Il medal
1967 USS Forrestal fire
1967 USS Forrestal fire
Ronald J. Zlatoper