Page 62 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2018-2

P. Mason Carpenter (Cont’d.)
#3 The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel P. Mason Carpenter for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-117A Stealth Fighter Pilot over the Former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, on 23 April 1999. On that date, Colonel Carpenter served as the overall mission commander of a multi-ship aircraft strike package on a highly successful mission flown deep into Serbian airspace in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Operation ALLIED FORCE. As the mission commander and flight lead, Colonel Carpenter was the central figure in the detailed planning, coordination, and execution of this
vitally important and highly integrated mission. While in enemy airspace, he exhibited the highest level of courage under intense pressure from the dense anti-aircraft artillery fire and surface-to-air missile activity. He braved this tremendous threat to his personal safety and prosecuted a highly successful attack on a key Serbian airfield. Despite the grave risk to his own personal safety, Colonel Carpenter calmly acquired his target, guided his precision weapons, and scored two direct hits on the target. Due to his superb planning and leadership, the remainder of the strike package enjoyed equal success. The results of this single action were the most successful of the war for the squadron. Colonel Carpenter's singularly distinctive achievements made a vital contribution to the overall success of Operation ALLIED FORCE. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
WINTER 2018 / DFCS News Magazine / 63