Page 7 - DFCS News Magazine Winter 2011

The President of the United States takes pleas- ure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Donald J. Presto for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Section Leader in a two-plane section of CH-46E SeaKnight helicopters on 10 April 2003 while attached to Marine Medium
Helicopter Squadron 268 Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3D
Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in
support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Major Presto performed courageously in the conduct of a casualty evacuation mission in the vicinity of Baghdad in support
of Regimental Combat Team 5. He maneuvered his sec-
tion into one of Baghdad's most heavily defended areas
and through numerous small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attacks in order to evacuate critically wounded Ma- rines. After he positioned his section on the ground to load the wounded, the ground unit's forward air controller warned him about enemy sniper fire. He lifted his aircraft into a high hover and positioned it broadside to the snipers and directed the crew chief to return suppressive fire This action ceased enemy fire and allowed the safe evacuation of the wounded Marines. By his superb airmanship, inspiring courage, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of
hazardous flying conditions, Major Presto reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradi- tions of the Marine Corps and the Unit- ed States Naval Service.
Major Jay W. Hubbard is awarded the Distin- guished Flying Cross for heroism and extraor- dinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron Three Hundred Twelve during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 27 October 1951. Leading a ten-plane mis-
sion against the enemy's main supply route to the city of Pyongyang, Major Hubbard skillfully maneuvered his flight into position for an attack against the railroad despite in- tense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Cutting the track in several places when he
scored direct hits with his bombs on the first run, he then carried out repeated
and accurate attacks upon box-
cars at a nearby siding, destroy-
ing two of them and thereby
hampering the enemy's efforts to
maintain an adequate flow of
supplies. By his courage, skilled airmanship and unswerving de- votion to duty, Major Hubbard upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Lieutenant Bruce Higginbotham is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and ex- traordinary achievement in aerial flight as co-pilot of a United States Naval Patrol Bomber Plane in Anti- submarine operations in the Bay of Biscay and the Western Approaches to the United Kingdom from
August 17, 1943 to June 25, 1944. Completing his twentieth mis- sion during this period, Lieutenant Higginbotham contributed materially to the success of his squadron. His courage and devo- tion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Rudolph Walter Matz, United States Navy is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for her- oism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a Pilot in Air Group One, attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN, in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 19, 1944. Encountering strong enemy forces enroute to attack his Task Force in the vicinity of the Marianas Islands, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, (then Ensign) Matz engaged the hostile aircraft in combat and pressed home relentless attacks. His airmanship and devo- tion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Lieutenant Rudolph Walter Matz, United States Navy, is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron One, attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN, during oper- ations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Marianas and Bonin Islands from June 25 to July 9, 1944. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Lieutenant (then Ensign)
Matz carried out bombing and strafing attacks against enemy ship- ping and installations, inflicting damage on the Japanese and con- tributing materially to the success of his squadron. His skilled air- manship and courageous devotion to duty in the face of heavy hostile anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Matz and the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in pre- senting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Ensign Rudolph W. Matz for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participat- ing in aerial flight against enemy forces on 19 June 1944. While in the vicinity of the Mariana Islands, he engaged large enemy forces enroute to attack his task force. During the action, he made formi- dable attacks upon the enemy planes. His coolness, bravery, and resourcefulness were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Page 7 The Distinguished Flying Cross News