Page 6 - DFCS News Magazine Winter 2012

The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert C. Berg for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. Lieutenant Berg distinguished himself by heroic actions on 23 December 1966 while serving as Pilot of the light ship, the nucleus of the “Fire Fly” team. Their mission was the interdiction and destruction of enemy transportation and sup- ply routes. As he and the team began their reconnaissance, they were immediately brought under attack by automatic weap- ons fire. As the fire was directed mainly at the light ship, he maneuvered the ship expertly to escape the oncoming fire. Dur-
ing the attack, he maneuvered away from the fire and called a strike to the low ship of the team, thus ending the enemy fire. He aided in the discovery of several hidden sampans. His monitoring of instruments and navigation procedures
helped the team to maintain strict altitude clearance. His superior performance aided the team in sinking seventy-one enemy sampans in that area. The next mission that night, called the team to oper- ate in an area ten miles northwest of Tan An. With haze and ground fog moving in, the mission contin- ued on, and he flew his aircraft under the most strenuous and almost impossible conditions. The light- ing ship had to descend to a dangerously low altitude, but the light was never turned off. He was able to spot three enemy sampans along a canal bank and, despite the restricted visibility, he stayed over the enemy and with the aid of the illumination of the light ship, the team intercepted the target. Be- cause of his alertness, courage, and devotion to duty the “Fire Fly” team was able to destroy a total of seventy-four sampans, three enemy killed and a large amount of supplies were sunk. His outstanding
actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Robert C. Bergfor extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Berg distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious achievement while serving as Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer of 173rd Aviation Company. Assigned the position of Unit Maintenance Officer and operating with a severely limited stock oftools and maintenance facilities, he developed a solid maintenance program to consistently guarantee aircraft availability to meet thedemands of
air support commitments. Responsible for the final determination of an aircraft’s combat readiness, he performed as many as forty and fifty test flights a month. His combat aviation experience rendered him a meticulous judge of aircraft readiness and an invaluable contrib- utor to the effective performance of company missions and defense. Assuming the job of Company Executive Officer, Captain Berg simultaneously shouldered the aerial duties of “air mission commander”. Flying command and control he provided aggressive and outstand- ingly professional guidance in the execution of numerous combat assault and support mis- sions throughout the III Corps area. He was further instrumental in establishing the physi-
cal security of the unit area, flight line, and post power plants. Captain Berg’s qualities of professionalism, dedicated eforts, and intense devotion to duty greatly insured the success of the unit. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in awarding the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Dewey E. Ballard, 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, AO 659350, APO 970,
United States Air Force. for extraordinary
achievement while participating in aerial flight
over Korea on April 7, 1951. Captain Ballard
took off, alone and unarmed, in an RF-80 aircraft, and flew deep into enemy territo- ry. As he approached his targets, Captain Ballard sighted six (6) enemy MIG-15 type aircraft. Although outnumbered by superior enemy fighters, Captain Ballard contin- ued with his mission, subjecting himself to certain attack. During the process of taking his photographs, Captain Ballard was attacked by the enemy fighters. By his superior flying ability and his knowledge of the enemy fighter capabilities, Captain Ballard was able to outmaneuver them and discourage their attack. As they broke off, Captain Ballard continued with his mission. Again he was attacked, this time by three (3) MIG-15’s and again he outmaneuvered the enemy until they broke off the attack. A single MIG-15 engaged Captain Ballard and for the third time in fifteen (15) minutes, he was forced to resort to evasive maneuvers. Finding himself ex- tremely low on fuel due to the high power settings necessitated by the aerial com- bat, Captain Ballard was forced to return to his base. As a result of his tenacity and disregard for personal safety, Captain Ballard was able to obtain information of immeasurable value to the United Nations Forces. By his courage and great devo- tion to duty, Captain Ballard has brought great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces and the United States Air Force.
Summer 2012 Issue Page 6