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FReeper Canteen ~ Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross ~ March 5, 2007
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Posted on 03/04/2007 6:23:49 PM PST by StarCMC

 

 

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

 

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

 

The FReeper Canteen
looks at

The
Air Force
Distinguished Flying Cross

This medal is awarded to any officer or enlisted man of the Armed Forces of the United States who shall have distinguished himself in actual combat in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The decoration may also be given for an act performed prior to November 11, 1918, when the individual has been recommended for, but has not received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Distinguished Service Medal.

The Distinguished Flying Cross, authorized by an Act of Congress of July 2, 1926 (amended by Executive Order 7786 on January 8, 1938), was awarded first to Captain Charles A. Lindbergh, of the U.S. Army Corps Reserve, for his solo flight of 3600 miles across the Atlantic in 1927, a feat which electrified the world and made "Lindy" one of America's most popular heroes. The first D.F.C. to be awarded to a Navy man was to Commander Richard E. Byrd, of the U.S. Navy Air Corps, on May 9, 1926, for his exciting flight to and from the North Pole. Both these famous aviators also received the Medal of Honor with the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Aviatrix Amelia Earhart also received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Hers was the only such award, as an executive order on March 1, 1927, ruled that D.F.C. should not be conferred on civilians.

During wartime, members of the Armed Forces of friendly foreign nations serving with the United States are eligible for the D.F.C. It is also given to those who display heroism while working as instructors or students at flying schools.

The Distinguished Flying Cross was designed by Elizabeth Will and Arthur E. DuBois. It is a bronze cross pattee, with rays between the arms of the cross. On the obverse is a propeller of four blades, with one blade in each arm of the cross and in the re-entrant angles of the cross are rays which form a square. The cross is suspended by a recatgular-shaped bar and centered on this is a plain shield. The reverse is blank and suitable for engraving the recipients name and rank.

The ribbon has a narrow red center stripe, flanked on either side by a thin white stripe, a wide stripe of dark blue, a narrow white stripe and narrow dark blue at the edge of the ribbon.

Subsequent awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross are indicated by oak-leaf clusters for Army and Air Force personnel and by additional award stars for members of the Naval services.

An example of the gallantry for which the Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded took place on the morning of August 31, 1969 in Vietnam. Captain Francis J. Cuddy, USMC a Helicopter pilot, was assigned the mission of assisting in the extraction of an Army Special Forces reconnaissance team heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army deep in an mountainous area under the enemy's complete control. Captain Cuddy, undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire directed at his aircraft, directed other helicopters into the area, moved his aircraft into treetop level and delivered repeated rocket and strafing runs on the enemy positions. As a result of his devastating attacks, the hostile fire was suppressed and sufficiently to enable the transport helicopters to safely extract the reconnaissance team. The citation for his award went on the say ". . .Captain Cuddy's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing this hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service." Captain Cuddy was also awarded the Silver Star, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, Commendation Medal with Combat "V," the Purple Heart and forty eight Air Medals During his tour of duty in Vietnam.

Link

        

Michael Durant

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 
Michael J. Durant
1961-

Mike Durant speaking
at Tyndall Air Force Base
in November 2002
Nickname Mike
Rank Chief Warrant Officer 4
Battles/wars Operation Just Cause
Operation Desert Storm
Battle of Mogadishu
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross
 (3)
Bronze Star
Purple Heart

Michael 'Mike' J. Durant (born July 23, 1961) is the American pilot who was held prisoner after a raid in Mogadishu, Somalia on October 3, 1993. Durant is a native of Berlin, New Hampshire, and served in the United States Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. He retired from the Army as a CW4 Blackhawk helicopter master aviator in the 160th SOAR after participating in combat operations Prime Chance, Just Cause, Desert Storm, and Gothic Serpent. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Medals, POW Medal, and numerous others. He and his wife Lisa have six children.

Biography

Durant was the pilot of Super Six Four, the second MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to crash during the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. The helicopter was hit by a rocket propelled grenade, and, although the aircraft remained stable at first, a few minutes later it began to malfunction, which led to its crash about a mile southwest of the raid's target.

Durant was badly injured, but survived the crash. Shortly after the crash, two Delta Force soldiers, MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randy Shughart, arrived and fought off the advancing Somalis but were eventually shot and killed. Both Gordon and Shughart received the Medal of Honor posthumously for this action. The Somalis captured Durant and held him for eleven days before his release.

Durant is retired from the military. He now offers seminars to military personnel about helicopter maneuvering and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations.

Durant also offers talks about the Somalia raid and the experiences he had in captivity. He personally offered an extensive interview to actor Ron Eldard, who portrayed Durant in the movie Black Hawk Down, which chronicles the events of the raid.

In 2003, Durant published a book titled In The Company of Heroes in which he chronicles his military career and his captivity.

Durant was a member of the Bush-Cheney '04 Veterans Team.

Link


        

Field Trip: The Distinguished Flying Cross Society

Click the pic to visit the DFS Society!

Click the pic to visit!

 

 

Other Links

List of Awardees

United States Association of D.F.C. honorees

Dinstinguished Flying Cross - Criteria, Background, and Images

Please remember: 

The Canteen exists to support our military heroes serving all over the world and their families.  There are lots of places around Free Republic to talk about politics and debate your views.  Please try to keep it out of the Canteen.  We want to keep the Canteen a place where the guys and gals who are serving can sit down, kick their shoes off and relax and not have to keep their guard up.  Thanks for your help! 
Now go out there and have FUN!!!!   
*HUGS!*
 

 

 

 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: afdfc; military; troopssupport
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To: StarCMC

Sorta. Mom insisted that we boys know how to cook, clean, and --- shudder --- sew. She said when we get on our own and until we get married we'll have to fend for ourselves. She made Gunny R.Lee look like a pansy. Dad taught woodworking, mechanics, and house repairs to us boys. And again Mom supervised and shook her finger at us if we weren't paying as good of attention as she thought we should.


121 posted on 03/04/2007 8:52:40 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: TASMANIANRED

Nothing scheduled yet.

Darn it, we haven't even gotten our Piper Picture fix this week.

Those kids are gonna get a dose of what grandparents can be like if they don't get with the program! LOL!


122 posted on 03/04/2007 8:53:29 PM PST by luvie (The War On Terror--not a clash between civilizations....it is a clash ABOUT civilization--Rush L.)
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To: LUV W

It's on the History Channel right now..
It's about the Dark Ages..
Not a nice time to live in if you were a peasant!
You shall HAVE real Maine fresh lobstah when ya get up here..
That's a promise!
Ms.B


123 posted on 03/04/2007 8:53:52 PM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)
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To: TASMANIANRED

*Smooch*
Thanks Sissy, I will do that!
Ms.B


124 posted on 03/04/2007 8:54:42 PM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)
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To: SandRat

LOL!! Your mom sounds like a winner! And dad too!


125 posted on 03/04/2007 8:54:59 PM PST by StarCMC (After the attacks of 9/11, profiling Muslims is more like profiling the Klan. - Ann Coulter)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN; Kathy in Alaska; All

Well kids, this cookie is crumblin' fast! I'm beat! I'll see you all soon I hope. I always think I'll get back here and something always seems to intervene! I miss you all bunches! *HUGS*


126 posted on 03/04/2007 8:56:22 PM PST by StarCMC (After the attacks of 9/11, profiling Muslims is more like profiling the Klan. - Ann Coulter)
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To: SandRat

Brat! LOL!

I had a cold take-out burger and limp fries. *sigh*


127 posted on 03/04/2007 8:58:20 PM PST by luvie (The War On Terror--not a clash between civilizations....it is a clash ABOUT civilization--Rush L.)
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To: Brad's Gramma
Yeah....wanna make something of it????
128 posted on 03/04/2007 8:59:55 PM PST by luvie (The War On Terror--not a clash between civilizations....it is a clash ABOUT civilization--Rush L.)
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To: StarCMC

We miss you, too!

See ya whenever!


129 posted on 03/04/2007 9:00:31 PM PST by luvie (The War On Terror--not a clash between civilizations....it is a clash ABOUT civilization--Rush L.)
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To: MS.BEHAVIN; NYTexan

Oh, yeah...I saw that advertised. I forgot about it while watching Without A Trace.

Yay...real FRESH Maine lobster! I look forward to it.

BB, didja hear that??? Where ARE you????


130 posted on 03/04/2007 9:02:03 PM PST by luvie (The War On Terror--not a clash between civilizations....it is a clash ABOUT civilization--Rush L.)
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To: LUV W

I gotta take care of Mrs. SR.


131 posted on 03/04/2007 9:02:32 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat

Well, we know that the cooking and woodworking part was a success anyway! LOL!


132 posted on 03/04/2007 9:03:08 PM PST by luvie (The War On Terror--not a clash between civilizations....it is a clash ABOUT civilization--Rush L.)
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To: SandRat

Sounds like you got well rounded the hard way.

Pat on the back.


133 posted on 03/04/2007 9:05:09 PM PST by TASMANIANRED (No stinking peanut butter.)
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To: LUV W

When is your next long weekend...

You are gonna have to do some ear pulling.


134 posted on 03/04/2007 9:06:00 PM PST by TASMANIANRED (No stinking peanut butter.)
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To: StarCMC

Night Star. Fine thread tonight.


135 posted on 03/04/2007 9:07:08 PM PST by TASMANIANRED (No stinking peanut butter.)
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To: MozartLover; sneakers; vigilante2; Jade Falcon; Laurita; txradioguy; tongue-tied; SoldierDad; ...
MozartLover;sneakers;vigilante2;JadeFalcon;Laurita;txradioguy;tongue-tied;SoldierDad;KB4W;arbee4bush;Milo828;mystery-ak;CMS;TheSailor;Jet Jaguar;Defender2;AZbushgal;MEG33;OneLoyalAmerican;M1Tanker;fatima;luv w; future snake eater;rightonline;skimask;jackv;soldierwill;allegra;weldgophardline;kalee;GodBlessUSA;all
Honoring Our Heroes

Allegra
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
CMS
David (LUV W)
Defender2
Ev (MozartLover)
Future Snake Eater (RightOnline)
Jade Falcon
JemiansTerror
Jet Jaguar
Jonathan (AZbushgal)
Karen (fatima's granddaughter)
KB4W (arbee4bush)
Kevin (skimask)
Kevin (weldgophardline)
Kevin and David (vigilante2)
Laurita
LCpl Carter
M1Tanker
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Milo828 (mystery-ak)
Nate (sneakers)
OneLoyalAmerican
Robert, Jeremy & Daynnis (SoldierDad)
Son (GodBlessUSA)
The Sailor
tongue-tied
txradioguy
William (jackv)



136 posted on 03/04/2007 9:07:34 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
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To: LUV W

Granddad took care of the Political Schooling. It took with me and went flat over my brother's head.


137 posted on 03/04/2007 9:08:10 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: TASMANIANRED

No long weekends till the Texas Tards go to San Antonio.

You got that right about the "ear pulling"!!

They just don't get it...YET!


138 posted on 03/04/2007 9:09:15 PM PST by luvie (The War On Terror--not a clash between civilizations....it is a clash ABOUT civilization--Rush L.)
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To: SandRat

Funny how the good stuff sticks with some and slips off others just like teflon!


139 posted on 03/04/2007 9:09:59 PM PST by luvie (The War On Terror--not a clash between civilizations....it is a clash ABOUT civilization--Rush L.)
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To: LUV W; NYTexan; mylife

We gonna eat lobstah till we can't move!
LOL
Yummers!
Ms.B


140 posted on 03/04/2007 9:10:57 PM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)
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