Page 74 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1
P. 74
BRUCE A. SCHWANDA
#1 The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Bruce Alan Schwanda, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Three, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 September 1967, First Lieutenant Schwanda launched as Section Leader of two armed UH-1E helicopters
on an escort mission in support of the extraction of a Marine reconnaissance team which was surrounded by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force near Khe Sahn. Upon arrival over the designated landing zone and being informed that the besieged ground unit was receiving intense fire, First Lieutenant Schwanda skillfully directed two flights of fixed-wing strike aircraft in an attack upon the enemy emplacements. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly led a transport helicopter through the narrow valley toward the landing site, until forced to abort the extraction attempt due to increasingly heavy volume of hostile fire. Returning to the area after refueling and rearming his helicopter, he resolutely directed two additional flights of fixed-wing air strikes with pinpoint accuracy. Despite the continuous intense enemy fire, he unhesitatingly led the transport helicopter into the area and while he directed a fifth fixed-wing air strike and maneuvered his own helicopter in a series of aggressive attacks, the transport helicopter embarked the ground unit and safely departed the area. His exemplary professional skill and resolute determination contributed significantly to the successful extraction of the reconnaissance team and were instrumental in killing over fifty enemy soldiers. First Lieutenant Schwanda’s courage, exceptional aeronautical ability and unswerving devotion to duty at great personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
74 / DFCS News Magazine / SUMMER 2020
