Page 4 - DFCS News Magazine Winter 2014

PAGE 4
THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS NEWS
tense ground fire that shot down both helicopter gun- ships, Major Coody’s flight of four troop-carrying helicop- ters continued their combat assaults throughout the day. His professional ad-
vice and leadership contributed to the success of this highly intricate and hazard- ous mission. The pro-
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in pre- senting the Distin- guished Flying
Cross to Major Marcus H. Coody for extraordinary achievement while participat- ing in aerial flight as Pilot of a UH-1H helicopter near An Loc, Republic of Vietnam on 31 May 1972. On this date, Major Coody was flying a combat assault mission to in- sert friendly forces into the besieged city of An Loc. Although encountering in-
fessional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty dis- played by Major Coody reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
out of the perilous zone and proceeded to a nearby hospital ship, Gunnery Sergeant Cox worked tirelessly as he adminis- tered lifesaving first aid to his wounded companion. His he- roic actions inspired all who served with him and contribut- ed immeasurably to the accom- plishment of the hazardous mission. Gunnery Sergeant Cox's courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk were in keeping with the highest tradi- tions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
cal evacuation mission deep in hostile territory. Arriving over the designated area, he quickly located the friendly unit, and positioning his ma- chine gun, delivered effective suppressive fire against ene- my positions. When the CH- 46 transport helicopter was unable to land in the con- fined area, Gunnery Sergeant Cox assisted in maneuvering his small gunship into a pre- carious landing on a ledge jutting over the zone and quickly prepared for the evac- uation. With complete disre- gard for his own safety, he unhesitatingly
moved out of the helicopter and carried the critical- ly wounded Ma- rine aboard. As his helicopter lifted
The President of the Unit- ed States takes pleasure in pre- senting the Dis- tinguished Flying
Cross for heroism and extraor- dinary achievement in aerial flight to William H. Cox, Gun- nery Sergeant , USMC. while serving with Marine Observa- tion Squadron Two, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in con- nection with combat opera- tions against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 18 December 1968, Gunnery Sergeant Cox was the Aerial Gunner aboard an armed UH -1E helicopter assigned to support an emergency medi-