More relevant might be a backdated gong for those who flew Fast Jets during the Cold War. The Mudmoving and Recce world was particularly hazardous, with guys spearing in left right and centre trying to get the job done with some of the lousy equipment we had. A Single-Seat OCU I was on lost 4 out of 12 staff killed in accidents in the space of 6 months in the 70s.
How about Bounced SAPs in Germany in “5km” visibility with the windscreen covered in insects?
And how about Lightning Low Level intercepts over the sea at night with no Rad Alt and the baro alt reading minus 1500ft because of Pressure Error?
The flying was exhilarating and - like most others - I wouldn’t have wanted to do anything else, but with TACEVAL, MAXEVAL etc. the job was extremely demanding and at times downright bloody dangerous.