23 December, 1969:  Flying an A-7 Corsair II from Attack Squadron 56 (VA-56) off the USS Ranger, Lt.  Russell Rajani flies the "gauntlet" through Mu Gia Pass in the Annamite Mountains between North Vietnam and Laos.

With just one chance at his target, Rajani, flying through heavy anti-aircraft fire, drops 500 lb. "snakeye" bombs and strafes congested road traffic on the pass below in an effort to destroy enemy vehicles and slow movement of supplies on the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. 

            Lt. Rajani flew numerous combat missions over North & South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.