Page 85 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

CHARLES W. PITTS
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Charles W. Pitts for extraordinary
achievement while participating in aerial
flight as a Forward Air Controller in Southeast
Asia on 12 February 1971. On that date, Lieutenant Pitts flew his lightly armed observation aircraft into an extremely high
threat air environment to interdict hostile supply routes. Despite adverse weather and intense antiaircraft fire from the target area, Lieutenant Pitts directed strikes which ultimately resulted in twelve trucks destroyed and two damaged. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Pitts reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
JOHN B. ROOSEN
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John B. Roosen, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as an attack pilot, serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE, embarked on USS ORISKANY (CVA-34), during a combat mission over North Vietnam on 14 December 1967. Lieutenant Roosen distinguished himself while leading a section of A4 Skyhawk aircraft on a reconnaissance mission in the Red River Delta region of North Vietnam. The flight penetrated enemy territory at the mouth of the Red River and continued to Phu Ly where Lieutenant Roosen located a 40-car freight train. While
climbing to altitude for a dive-bombing attack, he spotted two surface-to-air missiles as they were launched from a site twelve miles north. He called warnings to his wingman and expertly evaded the rapidly approaching missiles. After the missiles passed, Lieutenant Roosen again positioned himself and his wingman for their dive-bombing attack on the train. As they climbed into position, heavy 37mm and 85mm antiaircraft fire began exploding nearby. Lieutenant Roosen fearlessly penetrated the heavy flak and expertly positioned the flight for its dive-bombing attack on the train. His bombs were precisely on target. He personally
accounted for the destruction of an engine and four boxcars and ignited two secondary fires. Lieutenant Roosen again braved heavy flak to reattack the train with 20mm cannon and splintered two more boxcars. The steam from the locomotive boiler rose to 300 feet and dense black smoke from the secondary fire billowed up to 500 feet. Lieutenant Roosen’s skillful navigation, expert target acquisition, and precision bombing and strafing, in the face of intense antiaircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles attacks, contributed greatly to the destruction of this lucrative target and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
SUMMER 2020 / DFCS News Magazine / 85