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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: Arrowhead1952

Good Morning Arrowhead :)
It's too cold here. It warmed up nicely this weekend but we are in for a cold week. Have a great day!


281 posted on 03/05/2007 6:55:25 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You!. It Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: beachn4fun

Ooops, thought you hit that last one. :) Maybe, the next one. ;)


282 posted on 03/05/2007 6:56:52 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You!. It Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: StarCMC

Excellent thread Star! :)


283 posted on 03/05/2007 6:57:21 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You!. It Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: All; Kathy in Alaska

.


NEVER FORGET




..BRUCE CRANDALL = Medal of Honor..

http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48215


(See last "ALOHA RONNIE" Post)




NEVER FORGET

.


284 posted on 03/05/2007 6:58:01 AM PST by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.com)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W
LOL. Well it's not as bad as a Gracie move. :)

Thanks so much Ma for including my son going into Coast Guard. HUGS!!
285 posted on 03/05/2007 6:59:07 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You!. It Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: GodBlessUSA

We are warming up now, so I'll have to get out and start my chores. YUK.


286 posted on 03/05/2007 7:02:42 AM PST by Arrowhead1952 (The dims and Ron Paul screwed our troops.)
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To: Tanniker Smith

...I wonder if Sooty had a BIG smile on his face when he fell asleep?


287 posted on 03/05/2007 7:09:21 AM PST by tomkow6 (........pickin' my nose, bit by bit......)
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To: StarCMC; Mrs.Nooseman; Kathy in Alaska; beachn4fun; MountainFlower; tomkow6; bentfeather; ...
Good morning Canteeners, Cubies, Newbies & Troops! Well, with last week's warm spell in DC, the global warming crowd was screaming bloody murder! All for nothing, because today global warming is gone again. Hope you're all having a great day!


288 posted on 03/05/2007 7:10:00 AM PST by NRA1995 (They should've shredded Saddam Hussein...)
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To: GodBlessUSA

I am doing great.
How are you?


289 posted on 03/05/2007 7:13:58 AM PST by Mrs.Nooseman (Proudly supporting our Troops,Allies and our President GW!!!)
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To: NRA1995

Good Morning NRA.


290 posted on 03/05/2007 7:14:39 AM PST by Mrs.Nooseman (Proudly supporting our Troops,Allies and our President GW!!!)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

Gooooood moooooornin' TOOYA!


291 posted on 03/05/2007 7:16:18 AM PST by NRA1995 (They should've shredded Saddam Hussein...)
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To: Mrs.Nooseman

Very good, thanks :)

I'm getting ready to do a lot of chores that I've been meaning to get to do for a while.


292 posted on 03/05/2007 7:33:12 AM PST by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You!. It Prayers said for our Heroes!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Great coffee, Kathy!

Good morning {{HUGS}}


293 posted on 03/05/2007 7:48:58 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: GodBlessUSA

That's great to hear.
I'll talk to you when you get back.
Have fun doing chores.;)


294 posted on 03/05/2007 7:59:50 AM PST by Mrs.Nooseman (Proudly supporting our Troops,Allies and our President GW!!!)
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To: tomkow6
...I wonder if Sooty had a BIG smile on his face when he fell asleep?

I would. Wouldn't you??
LOL

295 posted on 03/05/2007 8:13:17 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Math teachers know ALL the angles.)
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To: Tanniker Smith
ANother 50 coming?

I would. Wouldn't you?? LOL

296 posted on 03/05/2007 8:13:53 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Math teachers know ALL the angles.)
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To: Tanniker Smith
ANother 50 coming?

I would. Wouldn't you?? LOL

297 posted on 03/05/2007 8:13:53 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Math teachers know ALL the angles.)
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To: Tanniker Smith
ANother 50 coming?

I would. Wouldn't you?? LOL

298 posted on 03/05/2007 8:13:55 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Math teachers know ALL the angles.)
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To: Tanniker Smith
ANother 50 coming?

I would. Wouldn't you?? LOL

299 posted on 03/05/2007 8:13:59 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Math teachers know ALL the angles.)
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To: Tanniker Smith
ANother 50 coming?

I would. Wouldn't you?? LOL

300 posted on 03/05/2007 8:14:00 AM PST by Tanniker Smith (Math teachers know ALL the angles.)
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