Page 15 - DFCS News Magazine Winter 2011

Sergeant Donald D. Allenbrand is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a C- 47 Airborne Morse Systems Operator at Detachment 1, 6994th Security Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, Repub- lic of Vietnam, on 3 May 1970. On that date, Sergeant
Allenbrand flew a long and arduous mission over hostile terrain under adverse weather conditions. Through the utilization of his outstanding skill, perseverance, and ingenuity, Sergeant Allen- brand contributed information to the allied forces for immediate use in tactical situations. Sergeant Allenbrand's performance aided immeasurably in the fulfillment of complex and urgent require- ments in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Allenbrand reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Carlton J. King for extraordi- nary achievement by participating in more than six hundred (600) 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 heroic achievement in the face of the haz- ards and difficulties faced regularly and continuously with stead- fast devo-
tion to du-
ty, reflects
much credit
on them-
selves and
the Army
Air Forces
of the Unit-
ed States.
69th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway Celebration by Chuck Sweeney
The U.S. Navy continued its legacy of celebrating the Battle of Midway on board the USS Midway Museum. This year th
was the 69 Anniversary of the battle and the celebration was held on June 4. The large crowd (over 1,000) in at-
tendance including one Admiral, three Vice Admirals and one rear Admiral to celebrate our great victory in WWII. The event was set to honor 15 living veterans of the actual battle and the families of 18 deceased veterans. As always it was a fantastic ceremony, with great food, drinks and music provided by the U.S. Navy.
This year, since it is the Centennial of Naval Aviation, I was able to convince the Navy to invite all of the US Navy and US Marine Corps members of the Lindbergh Chapter of the DFC Society to the event. It was even more crowded this year so I’m not sure how many members took advantage of the invitation but those that didn’t missed a great evening. I gave Diz Laird a ride to the event since he lives only two blocks from me. I did get to spend some time with Connie and Rocky Goodell and also saw Marv Hollenbeck but didn’t get to talk with him.
Of course I did talk with another one of the Lindbergh Chapter members, Rudy Matz, who is also a survivor of the battle and has a fascinating story about it. He was a Fire Controlman aboard the USS Hughes (DD 410) during the battle and survived but he saw the light. Rudy went through flight training as an enlisted pilot, was commissioned, and became a carrier fighter pilot. Rudy flew 44 com- bat missions in the Hellcat, and was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
As part of the ceremony, RADM “Mac” Mc Laughlin USN (ret) gave a great presentation about each of the veterans. The veteran then stood up as he was being cited and was shown on two very large screen TVs so that the audience could see them along with a picture of them during the WWII time frame.
Midway Battle Veterans with many Stars Rudy Matz being Acknowledged during Ceremony (Rudy is sitting 5th from left)
Page 15 The Distinguished Flying Cross News