Page 16 - DFCS News Magazine Winter 2012

The President of the United States takes great pleas- ure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Technical Sergeant Patrick J. Ledbetter for heroism while participating in aerial flight as HH-60G Pavehawk Flight Engineer near Nad e Ali, Afghanistan, on 28 De- cember 2009. On that date, Sergeant Ledbetter launched
as part of a four-ship task force sent at night to rescue one urgent casualty whose injury put the lives of 160 British soldiers in jeop- ardy. On the first attempt, Sergeant Ledbetter’s aircraft was on short final, when insurgents ambushed his aircraft with aimed small arms, heavy machine gun, and anti-aircraft artillery fire from 200 meters.
He gave his pilots precise directions to safely maneuver the aircraft away from the incoming rounds. After the attack aircraft neu- tralized the threat, Sergeant Ledbetter bravely volunteered to re-enter the en- gagement zone. On the second attempt, the attack aircraft marked the wrong
field. Sergeant Ledbetter, recognizing the crew was headed to the wrong location, called for an immediate go-around. On short final to the correct field, Sergeant Ledbetter aborted the rescue when enemy fire came within feet of his aircraft. During the evasive maneuvering both pilots lost sight of their flight lead. Sergeant Ledbetter immedi- ately searched and became the first crewmember to reacquire his wingman. Afterwards, he successfully directed the rejoin of both aircraft, preventing a possible mid-air collision. When asked if willing to make a third attempt, Sergeant Ledbetter firmly consented despite the enemy threat. On the third attempt, Sergeant Ledbetter success- fully rescued the urgent casualty and one more soldier from the hos- tile area, enabling the British ground unit to complete their mission. His actions truly demonstrate bravery under fire. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Ledbet- ter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States takes great pleas- ure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Airman First Class Harley R. Beck, Jr., for outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Gun- ner of a B-26 attack bomber, 34 Bombardment Wing (L),
Fifth Air Force on the night of 17 October 1952. Airman Beck dis- played outstanding airmanship and gunnery skill while on an armed reconnaissance over the enemy’s main supply route between Suan and Sokung in North Korea. An enemy convoy of twenty-five vehi- cles was sighted and immediately taken under attack in a series of bombing and firing passes. Airman Beck, utilizing superior marks- manship, scored several direct hits on these moving targets. These aggressive and highly coordinated attacks resulted in the destruc- tion of five supply-laden vehicles thus depriving the enemy of vital supplies. By his high skill, courage and devotion to duty, Airman Beck has brought
great credit upon himself, his or- ganization, and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States takes pleas- ure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Seymour L. Rosen for ex- traordinary achievement by participating in more than six hundred hours of operational flight in transport aircraft over the dangerous and difficult
Assam-China air routes, where enemy interception and attack was probable and expected. Flying at night as well as by day at high altitudes over impassable, mountainous terrain through areas characterized by extremely treacherous weather condi- tions necessitating long periods of operation on instruments, often encountering severe icing conditions and mechanical diffi- culties requiring courageous and superior performance of their respective duties to overcome, they accomplished their missions with distinction. Their achievement in the face of the hazards and difficulties faced regularly and continuously with steadfast devotion to
duty, reflects much credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces of the United States.
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Fly- ing Cross to Captain Jay E. Riedel for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Tac- tical Fighter Pilot near Duc Lap, Republic of Vi- etnam on 4 December 1969. On that date, Cap-
tain Riedel flew his aircraft from alert status in response to urgently requested close air support for elements of a friendly Regiment completely surrounded by a large hostile force. With complete disregard for his personal safety, despite in- tense automatic weapons fire, poor visibility and a ceiling of less than 800 feet, friendly forces within 75 meters of the tar- get, and a highly vulnerable restricted attack heading, Captain Riedel elected to make repeated low-angle ordnance passes to insure pinpoint accuracy and total target coverage, thus completely blunting the hostile offensive. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Riedel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The President of the Unit-
ed States takes great
pleasure in presenting the
Distinguished Flying Cross to
Captain Jay E. Riedel for ex-
traordinary achievement
while participating in aerial
flight as an F-100 Tactical Fighter Pilot near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam on 14 April 1970. On that date, Captain Riedel led his flight to provide close air support for friendly forces who were under attack from a hostile recoiling rifle position. De- spite the fact that his attack was severely restricted by low clouds, mountainous terrain and the close proximity of friend- ly forces, Captain Riedel made repeated low-angle ordnance deliveries through heavy hostile ground fire to completely destroy the gun position. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Riedel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Summer 2012 Issue Page 16