Page 10 - DFCS News Magazine Spring 2015

“...for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.”
The President of the United States the tall trees and enemy ground fire prevented his de-
takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to War- rant Officer Ronald M. Black for hero-
ism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Of- ficer Black distinguished himself by exceptional- ly valorous action on 21 December 1969 while serving as Pilot in the Republic of Vietnam. Up- on learning that a helicopter had been shot down, Warrant Officer Black quickly flew to the crash site and came to a hover over the burning craft to see if he could spot any survivors. He tried re- peatedly to lower his ship to the wreckage, but
scent. Remaining over the area, he continually ex- posed himself to the hostile fire while engaging the enemy and providing support for a ground unit secur- ing it. His outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
“...for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.”
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieu- tenant, Junior Grade, Joseph N. Kanevsky
for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Section Leader in Fighter Squadron Twenty-three, based on board the U.S.S. Essex, during operations against ene- my aggressor forces in Korea on 17 October 1952. When his Division Leader was shot down by enemy ground fire during a reconnaissance mission near the Anbyon Reservoir, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Kanevsky immediately initiated emergency procedures and set up a low-altitude protective orbit over the downed Pilot. Bravely remaining at his position over the airman in the face of intense hostile fire, he carried out a series of determined attacks on enemy gun positions in the area to prevent hostile troops from capturing the downed Pilot. Although seriously wounded
by enemy fire, which repeatedly hit his aircraft, Lieu- tenant, Junior Grade, Kanevsky refused to leave the scene until assured that help was on the way and ulti- mately affected a successful landing at a friendly air- field. By his marked courage, skilled airmanship and selfless efforts in behalf of another, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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