Page 51 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2018-2

Charles F. Bolden
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Charles F. Bolden, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in space flight as Commander of the Space Shuttle ATLANTIS on Mission STS-45 from 24 March to 2 April 1992. Colonel Bolden’s outstanding leadership and exceptional flying skills significantly enhanced the successful achievement of major mission objectives. He exhibited superior organizational and management ability throughout the preparation and conduct of this multi- disciplinary flight. Colonel Bolden contributed to the successful formulation and training of the multi- center international team needed to conduct a mission with this level of complexity. He flew the
Shuttle ATLANTIS flawlessly through an atmospheric re-entry, manually controlling the spacecraft during the final approach and landing on the Kennedy Space Center run way. Colonel Bolden’s distinguished achievements, zealous performance, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
52 / DFCS News Magazine / WINTER 2018