Page 8 - DFCS News Magazine Summer 2015

“...for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.”
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in present- ing the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Patricia A. McFetridge for
extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the morning of 22 Sep- tember 1990 while serving as Co-Pilot of Coast Guard hel- icopter HH-3F
CGNR 1467. The aircrew was dispatched to search for the fishing vessel JANICE N which was reported to have caught fire. Ensign McFetridge flew at an altitude of 100 feet through heavy rain, 75-knot wind gusts, se- vere turbulence, 30-foot seas, and visibility less than one-quarter mile. After an exhaustive two and one-half hour search, until fuel ran
low, with visibility reduced to one-eighth mile, the aircrew sighted a raft with three persons onboard. As the survivors were hoisted, Ensign McFetridge carefully monitored the seas, and her quick reac- tion on several occasions kept the aircraft from striking the water. Demonstrating great compo- sure under pressure, during the hoists, Ensign McFetridge provided communications between the Pilot and crew when the intercom system was disabled by the driving rain. Relieving the ex- hausted Aircraft Commander, she skillfully flew the aircraft, while making arrangements for medi- cal assistance for the survivors.
Ensign McFetridge’s actions, aero- nautical skill, and valor were in- strumental in the rescue of three victims. Her courage, judgment and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest tradi- tions of the United States Coast Guard.
Capt. McFetridge, member DFCS
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Sergeant Julia A. Bringloe for excep- tionally valorous achievement while
assigned to Charlie Company, 3d Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, Task Force Phoenix, during Operation Enduring Freedom XI. Her heroic ac- tions as an air ambulance Flight Medic while in support of Operation Hammer Down in Afghani- stan's Watahpor Valley from 25 June to 27 June 2011 resulted in the evacuation and treatment of eleven wounded soldiers while under constant enemy fire and contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command's mission. Her bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon herself, Task Force Phoe-
nix, Task Force Falcon, Combined Joint Task Force-1 and the United States Army.
Page 8
Lieutenant Richard Gibian is award- ed the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while partici- pating in aerial flight in the European The-
ater of Operations. On 25 December 1944 an intense barrage of enemy fire met Lieutenant Gibian and his squadron when they approached the airfield at Bonn, Germany. Lieutenant Gibian, undaunted by the terrific assault, calmly circled the objective in order to select the most desirable targets. Spotting four enemy aircraft parked in a dispersal area, Lieu- tenant Gibian courageously led his squadron in at very low altitude and destroyed the four airplanes. Enemy fire continued at a great intensity, but Lieu- tenant Gibian continued his skillful attacks and bombed again and again until a hangar and an im- portant fuel dump were also destroyed. His tactical ability and courage in
the face of danger are of the greatest credit to Lieutenant Gibian and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.