Page 68 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

DENNIS L. DAY
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Dennis L. Day, Warrant Officer, W1, United States Army, 68th Aslt Hel Co, Republic of Vietnam, for action dated 1 May, 1968 for heroism while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: Warrant Officer Day distinguished himself while flying repeated emergency ammunition resupply and medical evacuation missions near Thien Ngon and Katum. He was called upon to evacuate wounded troops from a Special Forces patrol that had come under heavy enemy attack. Although the unit was dangerously low on ammunition and could
not provide a secure landing zone, he volunteered to attempt an emergency resupply and evacuation of the stricken troops. Having been informed that an armed fire team was not in the immediate area, and recognizing the urgency of the mission, he braved the intense barrages of hostile fire and successfully completed both the resupply and the evacuation of troops. Later in the day, another patrol came
under heavy attack and their ammunition was quickly exhausted. Realizing the consequences that would result if a ship was unable to get through in time, he immediately volunteered for the extremely dangerous mission. Braving the ever-increasing intensity of the hostile forces, he skillfully maneuvered his ship into the area, resupplied the stricken troops, and successfully extracted their wounded personnel. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
PHILIP A. GOODSPEED
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Philip A. Goodspeed, CPT, United States Army, Trp A, 2nd Sqdn (Ambl), 17th Cav (WABOAO), for heroism involving aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 29 December, 1969. Captain Goodspeed distinguished himself while serving as pilot of a light observation helicopter on a visual reconnaissance mission in Thua Thien Province, Republic of
Vietnam. Captain Goodspeed had just completed the visual reconnaissance of a trail that indicated heavy enemy activity and was returning to his base camp when several well camouflaged enemy gunners directed small arms fire at his aircraft. He quickly engaged the insurgents with his organic weapons. The heavy volume of hostile fire, however, ripped through the small helicopter, damaging it severely and wounding Captain Goodspeed. Although he was bleeding profusely, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft toward a suitable landing zone. With his min-gun strafing the area, he was able to land safely before he passed out because of loss of blood. Captain Goodspeed’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United
States Army.
This is what Goodspeed’s OH-6 looked like on recovery. He had been shot through both lungs. I was flying his cover that day in a Cobra. Miraculously, we got him medevaced within minutes and he survived. We still get together nearly every year. -Ed.
68 / DFCS News Magazine / SUMMER 2020