Page 3 - DFCS News Magazine Spring 2015

“...for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.”
The President of the United States rows’ astute airmanship contributed immeasurably in
takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Cap- tain Jeffrey M. Burrows for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an
F-16C Instructor Pilot during Operation Desert Storm on 21 January 1991. On that date, while piloting an F-16, Captain Burrows performed ex- traordinary service while on a combat mission in northern Iraq. The mission was in support of a 45-aircraft night package attacking the heavily defended airfields of Mosul and Kirkuk in north- ern Iraq. Lacking full combat support, Captain Burrows continued to complete the mission in an extremely dangerous environment. Captain Bur-
defeating a flight of MIG-29 Fulcrums by maneuver- ing the flight to a position of advantage, forcing the Fulcrums to turn away and depart the area. This al- lowed them to complete the mission unabated by air threats. The outstanding heroism and selfless devo- tion to duty
displayed by Captain Bur- rows reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Society has always had its champions and villains from the beginning of time. One of the curious characteristics of our civi- lizations infamous figures, who have achieved their notoriety un-
der false pretense or through evil deeds, was a desire for legitimacy and recognition. B.G. Burkett, in his well-researched novel, Stolen Val- or, chronicles numerous examples of those that would wrap themselves in the veil of the heroism and service of others and make it their own; thereby diminishing the value of the recognition to those who were honorably entitled to it.
Today’s headlines are filled with examples of those who have compromised their character by outright lies and embellishments. From Brian Williams, of NBC, to Robert McDonald, former CEO of Proctor & Gamble brought in to repair the breach of trust in the Veterans Administra- tion, highly educated public figures have dimin- ished themselves by seeking to be like the mem- bership of the Distinguished Flying Cross Socie- ty, true American heroes.
One would think that in our organization, made up of individuals where extraordinary achievement or valor is the ticket to entry and many originating from insti- tutions where they swore an oath that ‘"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."’ that ‘Stolen Valor’ would not be a problem. It is with sad- ness that I report to you it is a problem for us as well. On at least three occasions, assertions were made, career profiles were embellished, and in one case documents were forged to gain entry into our ranks.
I can also report that in each of these cases, your leadership reacted with diligence and purpose, to re- move those who were not entitled to be among you. We all take very seriously our stewardship of the his- torical legacies of a Bob Hoover, a Jimmy Doolittle, a Gene Cernan, and each of you; our members. In- tegrity matters and we will continue to see that it does.
Bruce Huffman Chairman of the Board
The Chairman’s Message
Page 3
Volume 15, Issue 1 - Spring 2015