• Hosted by USAF Pararescue Association
    Last Update: Saturday, March 29, 2025

     

     

    “It is my duty, as a member of the Air Rescue Service,
    to save life and to aid the injured.
    I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned
    duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties
    before personal desires and comforts.
    These things I do that others may live.”

     

                          

    Site Mission:
    Provide Pararescue History

     

    Distinguished Flying Cross Recipients


     

      The Distinguished Flying Cross was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 446, 69th Congress), approved July 2, 1926, and implemented by Executive Order 4576 signed by President Calvin Coolidge on January 28, 1927.

    The medal ribbon is predominantly blue, with a narrow band of red bordered by white in the center. The edges of the ribbon are outlined with equal bands of white inside blue. Suspended by the ribbon is a  bronze cross  one and a half inches across, a four-bladed propeller one and eleven-sixteenths inches across the blades; in the re-entrant angles, rays forming a one inch square. The cross is suspended by a plain, straight suspender. The reverse side of the medal is blank, leaving space for engraving the recipient's name.

    The Distinguished Flying Cross may be awarded to military members who distinguish themselves by heroism or outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight. To be awarded for heroism the act must involve voluntary action in the face of danger and be well above the actions performed by others engaged in similar flight operations. If awarded for extraordinary achievement, it must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his or her comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances.

    Additional awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross are denoted by oak leaf clusters. A bronze "V" device to represent valor may be worn on a Distinguished Flying Cross awarded for valor. Use of the "V" device was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on June 30, 2004 and is retroactive to September 18, 1947. Individuals previously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism (as indicated on the citation, certificate, or order) are now authorized to wear the "V" device.

    The citations that accompany the below awards provide the reader with an understanding of the types of missions Pararescuemen conduct in both combat and  non-combat environments and the risks involved in prosecuting these missions.

    The below list has the many of the Pararescue recipients but several are missing . In addition to the certified names on this site, we are trying to identify and verify others. The below list is of verified  awardees. If you click on their name, you will view a copy of the narrative of their award.  If you have the narratives for any of these individuals; or, if you know of any other PJs awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, contact me at  historian@pjhistory.org 

    The same is true if you have newspaper articles or other published media concerning an individuals award.


     Return to PJ History Homepage          Return to Medals Homepage


    Recipients name is followed by the date of the incident and the location where it happened
     

    Michael A. Aillet, 20 January 1972, Vietnam (Narrative not available)
    Charles B. Aldean, 24 May 1971, Vietnam
    Charles B. Aldean, 8 November 1971, Vietnam
    Charles B. Aldean, 12 November 1971, Vietnam
    Charles B. Aldean, 29 November 1971, Vietnam
    Grady F. Allen, 4 September 1969, Vietnam
    Grady F. Allen, 12 September 1969, Vietnam

    Rod Alne, 22 January 1991, Iraq
    Michael T. Ames, 2-3 March 2002, Afghanistan  (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    David D. Ash, , 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Larry A. Barnes, 2 March 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Tom L. Bausman, 22 January 1991, Iraq
    Robert W. Bean, 2 May 1999, Serbia
    Dan A. Beasley, 1 September 1968, Vietnam
    Duane I. Beland, 11 September 1968, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Thomas A. Beranek, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Harry W. Birtel, 18 November 1965, Vietnam
    Lehman L. Booher, 20 March 1970, Vietnam  (Narrative not available) Source Document
    William D. Brotton, 23-24 April 1967, Vietnam
    Michael A. Brown, 15 May 1975 - Cambodia  Mayaguez SAR
    Terry E. Caffery, 21 March 1970, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Matthew D. Carlisle, 4 August 2012, Afghanistan
    Earnest D. Casbeer, 9 June 1968, Vietnam
    Harry H. Cash, 13 April 1972, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)   Orders
    John F. Cassidy, 4 October 1980, Gulf of Alaska
    Ronald L. Charlesworth, 20 January 1973, Vietnam
    Harry H. Cohen, 19 July 1969, Thailand
    Burt W. Cook, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Douglas W. Crowder, 5 December 1969, Vietnam
    Thomas H. Culpepper, 26 May 2011, Afghanistan   News Article
    John J. Dagneau, 25 September 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Orders
    Bruce M. Daly, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    William G. Daniels, 22 February 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  Photo   SAR Report  Orders
    Michael J. Darin, 3 March 2002, Afghanistan
    Arthur M. Davis, 21 December 1969, Vietnam
    Luther E. Davis, 20 October 1966, Vietnam
    Luther E. Davis, 15 April 1970, Vietnam
    David M. Davison, 12 November 1969, Vietnam
    Joseph F. Duffy, 26 August 1967, Vietnam, (Narrative not available)  Source Document
    Lewis L. Dunham, 15 May 1975 - Cambodia  Mayaguez SAR
    John J. Eldridge, 20 March 1970, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Aaron D. Farrior, 7 March 1966, Vietnam
    Aaron D. Farrior, 1 May 1966, Vietnam
    Aaron D. Farrior, 15 November 1966, Vietnam
    Aaron D. Farrior, 18 November 1968, Vietnam
    Lucas G. Ferrari, 9 June 2010, Afghanistan     News Article
    John E. Ferris, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Michael P. Flores, 3 March 2002, Afghanistan  (Narrative not available)
    William J. Flower, 8 September 66, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    Albert W. Foster, 23 October 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  
    Karl J. Froehlich, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Leon Fullwood, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    Nicholas Gala Jr., 6 April 1968, Vietnam
    Anthony R. Gargano, 6 October 1969, Vietnam
    James B. Gerwert, 15 August 1969, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    George P. Gonzales, 22 December 1972, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Orders
    Yandall D. Goodwin, 2-3 March 2002, Afghanistan
    David L. Gray, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Dudley M. Greene, 13 August 1973, Vietnam
    Duane D. Hackney, 2 October 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Source Document
    Duane D. Hackney, 13 March 1967, Vietnam
    Duane D. Hackney, 22 February 1967, Vietnam
    Duane D. Hackney, 7 June 1970, Vietnam
    Duane D. Hackney, 9 April 1971, (Narrative not available)
    Hulen C. Hammock, 15 January 1973, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Gerald C. Hammond, 11 April 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Danny D. Hancock, 23 March 1971, Vietnam
    Patrick T. Harding, 3 March 2002, Afghanistan
    Peter S. Harding, 15 May 1975 - Cambodia  Mayaguez SAR
    Harold W. Harvey, 9 March 1970, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  News Article
    Harold W. Harvey, 15 March 1970, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)   News Article
    John W. Hatzidakis, 19 March 2009, Afghanistan    News Article
    Ricky D. Hindman, 8 November 1967, Vietnam 
    Ricky D. Hindman, 30 December 1967, Vietnam
    Ricky D. Hindman, 27 February 1968, Vietnam
    Ricky D. Hindman, 13 March 1968, Vietnam
    Ricky D. Hindman, 21 April 1968, Vietnam 
    Ricky D. Hindman, 1 December 1971, Okinawa    News Article
    Larry Hiyakumoto, 27 June 2010, Afghanistan  News Article
    Jon K. Hoberg, 24 October 1969, Vietnam SAR Report  Note: First name spelled wrong on orders
    Zachary C. Hoeh, 26 May 2011, Afghanistan    News Article
    George P. Hoffman, 1 September 1968, Vietnam
    George P. Hoffman, 24 October 1969, Vietnam   SAR Report
    Douglas A. Horka, 19 November 1968, Vietnam
    Douglas A. Horka, 8 December 1968, Vietnam
    Douglas A. Horka, 12 November 1968, Vietnam
    Douglas A. Horka, 5 December 1969, Vietnam
    Douglas A. Horka, 21 March 1970, Vietnam
    Douglas A. Horka, 22 April 1970, Vietnam
    William H. Hughes, Jr, 10 December 1971, Vietnam
    George E. Hunt, 2 October 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Larry D. Huyett, 1965, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  Source Document
    Ronald R. Jeczala, 5 December 1969, Vietnam
    John C. Jeffers, 6 October 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    John C. Jeffers, 23 October 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    Charles Jenkins, 29 October 1966, Vietnam   Source Document
    Paul L. Jenkins, 24 October 1969, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Paul L. Jenkins, 12 November 1969, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Paul L. Jenkins, 21 March 1970, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    William M. Jennings, 22 January 1969, Vietnam
    Leonard C. Johnson, 5 April 1969, Vietnam (Narrative not available)
    Robert B. Johnson, 17 July 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Robert B. Johnson, 3 September 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Steven L. Jones, 13 August 1973, Vietnam
    Laverne W. Kellerman, 23 & 24 March 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Orders
    Laverne W. Kellerman, 25 May 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Orders
    Leroy W. Kelsay, 16 January 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    Charles D. King, 6 December 1968, Vietnam
    Henry C. Kirk, 23 March 1971, Vietnam
    Dennis Kraft, 14 March 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Robert L. LaPointe, 1 May 1972, Vietnam
    Robert L. LaPointe, 9 August 1972, Vietnam
    Charles F. Lear, 2 March 1965, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  Source Document
    Stephen W. Lemminn, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Michael D. Leonard, 23 Oct 1965, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    James D. Locker, 25 December 1967, Vietnam
    Ronald A. Lundrigan, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Craig A. Marsh, 19 March 1972, Vietnam
    Craig A. Marsh, 5 May 1972, Vietnam
    Roy C. Marsh 22 January 1991, Iraq  (Narrative not available)
    Randy S. McComb, 11 November 1967, Vietnam
    Randy S. McComb,  11 March 1968, Vietnam
    Randy S. McComb, 9 January 1971, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Gregory J. McDonald, 6 September 1969, Vietnam
    Gregory J. McDonald, 6 December 1969, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)   Orders
    Gregory J. McDonald, 21 March 1970, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Anthony J. McFarr, 5 December 1969, Vietnam
    Charles D. McGrath, 21 July 1971, Vietnam
    Charles D. McGrath, 24 June 1972, Vietnam
    Dennis W. McKiver, , 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Michael P. McManus, 15 July 1972, Vietnam
    Tommy Miles, 19 July 1969, Vietnam
    Jack D. Moran, 6 October 1969, Vietnam
    Karl C. Morgan, 14 June 73, Vietnam (Narrative not available)
    Charles D. Morrow, 2 December 1969, Vietnam
    Charles D. Morrow, 7 February 1970, Vietnam
    Charles D. Morrow, 21 March 1970, Vietnam
    Charles D. Morrow, 27 June 1972, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  (Orders)
    Eugene L. Nardi, 22 January 1969, Vietnam
    Eugene L. Nardi, 24 March 1969, Vietnam
    Eugene L. Nardi, 6 December 1969, Vietnam
    Eugene L. Nardi, 12 May 1969, Vietnam
    Eugene L. Nardi, 13 March 1971, Vietnam
    Eugene L. Nardi, 8 November 1971, Vietnam
    Eugene L. Nardi, 23 March 1971, Vietnam
    Dee W. Nelson, 31 August 1968 to 7 June 1969, Vietnam
    Larry D. Nicholson, 10 March 1968, Vietnam
    Steve M. Northern, 31 March 1967, Vietnam
    Steve M. Northern, 30 August 1967, Vietnam
    Steve M. Northern, 14 March 1968, Vietnam
    Steve M. Northern, 21 April 1968, Vietnam
    Steve M. Northern, 9 June 1968, Vietnam   Article
    Daniel T. Nungesser, 22 December 1972, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Henry J. O’Beirne , 9 November 1965, Vietnam
    Henry J. O’Beirne , 9 April 1965 Vietnam
    Gary T. Osborne, 13 April 1972, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Brian H. Oswald, 2-3 March 2002, Afghanistan  (Narrative not available)
    Richard H. Pambrum, 22 April 1970, Vietnam
    Richard H. Pambrum, 13 December 1970, Vietnam
    Richard H. Pambrum, 21 December 1970, Vietnam
    Cole E. Panning, 3 April 72, Vietnam
    Cole E. Panning, 26 May 1972, Vietnam
    Cole E. Panning, 20 June 1972, Vietnam
    Cole E. Panning, 1 May 1972, Vietnam
    Aaron D. Parcha, 13 November 2010, Afghanistan   News Article
    David L. Patterson, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    Dudley R. Peckinpaugh, 1965, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    Michael S. Perry, 22 January 1991, Iraq
    Irving A. Petty, 9 April 1971, Narrative not available
    John Pighini, 28 February 1967, Vietnam
    James E. Poole, 15 February 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  Source Document
    Roger A. Porter, 21 August 1967, Vietnam
    John C. Ratliff, 23 March 1971, Vietnam
    Edward K. Rendle, 24 October 1969, Vietnam
    Philemon S. Resos, 29 September 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Awarding Orders
    Timothy M. Reynolds, 21 January 1969, Vietnam
    Frederick Rhinehart, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    John T. Richardson, 7 November 1972, Vietnam
    John T. Richardson, 28 December 1972, Vietnam
    Johnny L. Riddick, 18 February 1970, Vietnam
    Johnny L. Riddick, 1 March 1970, Vietnam
    Jose M. Rios, 4 October 1980, Gulf of Alaska
    Lewis J. Roberts, 2 March 1965, Vietnam
    Lewis J. Roberts, 12 November 1969, Vietnam
    Robert A. Roberts, 3 March 2002, Afghanistan  (Narrative not available)
    Luigge Romanillo, 4 May 2010, Afghanistan   News Article
    Charles F. Salome, 31 December 1971, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Brenton D. Schicker, 2 October 1969, Vietnam
    George E. Schipper, 8 June 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)    Source Document
    Daniel L. Schmidt, 1 July 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)    Source Document
    James D. Scott, 11 July 1970, Vietnam
    James D. Scott, 13 March 1971, Vietnam
    William F. Sine, 16 February 2002, Afghanistan  (Narrative not available)
    John A. Smith, Vietnam, (Narrative not available)  News Article
    Michael P. Smith, 19 June 1970, Vietnam
    Ronald F. Sopata, 22 July 1969, Vietnam
    Leland H. Sorensen, 24 October 1969, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Leland H. Sorensen, 4 September 1969, Vietnam
    Leland H. Sorensen, 12 November 1969, Vietnam 
    Joseph S. Stanaland, 21 December 1970, Vietnam 
    Joseph S. Stanaland, 3 January 1971, Vietnam
    Joseph S. Stanaland, 25 February 1971, Vietnam
    Allen R Stanek, 18 May 1966,  Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    John W. Stephens, 26 May 1972, Vietnam
    John W. Stephens, 20 August 1972, Vietnam
    John W. Stephens, 4 January 1973
    Franklin A. Stevson, 2 June 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Franklin A. Stevson, 8 August 1966, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Richard C. Stiefken, 1969, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    Richard N. Stone, 1965, Vietnam (Narrative not available)
    Huber L. Stover, 25 September 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Brandon S. Stuemke, 13 November 2010, Afghanistan    News Article
    Randy H. Styer, 15 May 1975, Cambodia - Mayaguez SAR
    William C. Sutton, 3 September 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    Gordon C. Thayer, 27 July 1965, Vietnam
    Gordon C. Thayer, 24 August 1965, Vietnam
    William J. Thompson, 22 July 1971, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)  
    William J. Thompson, 3 April 1972, Vietnam
    William J. Thompson, 1 May 1972
    John F. Tobey, 10 May 1967, Vietnam
    John F. Tobey, 16 May 1967, Vietnam
    Terrance A. Treutel, 3 December 1967, Vietnam
    Gilbert E. Vaillancourt, 28 July 1979, Alaska
    Michael D. Vogele, 26 June 1972, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Michael L. Wagner, 31 December 1971, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Richard A. Wallace, 1965, Vietnam (Narrative not available)   Source Document
    Joshua M. Webster, 27 June 2010, Afghanistan  News Article
    Terry L. Wetzel, 9 March 1970, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    David J. Wheeler, 4 December 1965, Vietnam
    Robert G. Wheeler, 21 December 1970, Vietnam
    Christopher D. Widener, 13 November 2010, Afghanistan    News Article
    Edward M. Willis, 7 December 1969, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Edward M. Willis, 18 February 1970, Vietnam
    Edward M. Willis, 8 May 1970  (Narrative not available)
    Lorenzo E. Willis, 25 June 1966  (Narrative not available)  Orders
    John E. Wilson, 6 October 1969, Vietnam
    John E. Wilson, 5 December 1969, Vietnam
    John E. Wilson, 8 August 1969, Vietnam
    Thomas T. Winters, 18 January 1969, Vietnam
    Lionel O. Yaw, 6 Aug 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Lionel O. Yaw, 17 July 1966, Vietnam (Narrative not available)  Orders
    Jon H. Young, 24 May 1971, Vietnam  (Narrative not available) 
    Jon H. Young, 29 November 1971, Vietnam  (Narrative not available)
    Jon H. Young, 24 December 1972, Vietnam

     


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