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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

 

 

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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: GeekDejure

Hey, those Peahens are down right ugly!



Just dragging along. ROTFLOL!


341 posted on 03/05/2007 10:10:11 AM PST by Soaring Feather (I Soar 'cause I can....)
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To: tomkow6; LUV W; All

OMG that too cute and funny LMAO Tomkow

OH Tomkow I think later on the week on WGN Superstation Cubs be playing I don't know who

So far the Fox news report claim market are stablieze man Asian markets weren't they lost 450 points last night

Also another report off Kydto news wire maybe reason why Chia Pet pay a visit to Chinese embassy probably Chinese prez got tired of his crap about nukes


342 posted on 03/05/2007 10:12:28 AM PST by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: tomkow6

Tomkow hate to say this but you being not dangerous to society that now that Dr Phil said


343 posted on 03/05/2007 10:15:29 AM PST by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: SevenofNine
Also another report off Kydto news wire maybe reason why Chia Pet pay a visit to Chinese embassy probably Chinese prez got tired of his crap about nukes

He's not the only one. LOL!

344 posted on 03/05/2007 10:16:54 AM PST by Tamar1973 (Note to Hillary, Boxer and Fonda: The peas called, they want their pod back!)
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To: txradioguy

It's shiny on both sides - didn't ya notice? :-)


345 posted on 03/05/2007 10:21:04 AM PST by StarCMC (FR is a success, in spite of all...cats they've sacrificed ...demon gods they've prayed to. - Bryan)
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To: AZamericonnie; minor49er

COOL! It's a SeaBees bday today!!


346 posted on 03/05/2007 10:22:57 AM PST by StarCMC (FR is a success, in spite of all...cats they've sacrificed ...demon gods they've prayed to. - Bryan)
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To: El Gran Salseron

That's what happens when you're an old fart I here. :-P


347 posted on 03/05/2007 10:23:48 AM PST by StarCMC (FR is a success, in spite of all...cats they've sacrificed ...demon gods they've prayed to. - Bryan)
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To: StarCMC

mine


348 posted on 03/05/2007 10:24:04 AM PST by tomkow6 (........pickin' my nose, bit by bit......)
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To: StarCMC

mine


349 posted on 03/05/2007 10:24:05 AM PST by tomkow6 (........pickin' my nose, bit by bit......)
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To: StarCMC

mine


350 posted on 03/05/2007 10:24:05 AM PST by tomkow6 (........pickin' my nose, bit by bit......)
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To: StarCMC

mine


351 posted on 03/05/2007 10:24:06 AM PST by tomkow6 (........pickin' my nose, bit by bit......)
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To: StarCMC

*smacks forehead*

here = hear


352 posted on 03/05/2007 10:24:20 AM PST by StarCMC (FR is a success, in spite of all...cats they've sacrificed ...demon gods they've prayed to. - Bryan)
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To: AZamericonnie

Howdy Connie, good day to you. Thank You for remembering the SeaBees.


353 posted on 03/05/2007 10:24:35 AM PST by Soaring Feather (I Soar 'cause I can....)
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To: tomkow6

Well, you did not tell me it was yours. I am hurt. ;(


354 posted on 03/05/2007 10:25:20 AM PST by Soaring Feather (I Soar 'cause I can....)
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To: tomkow6
BRATTOM!

355 posted on 03/05/2007 10:25:54 AM PST by StarCMC (FR is a success, in spite of all...cats they've sacrificed ...demon gods they've prayed to. - Bryan)
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To: stand watie

Happy Monday sw! *Hugs*


356 posted on 03/05/2007 10:27:05 AM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: StarCMC


357 posted on 03/05/2007 10:37:30 AM PST by tomkow6 (........pickin' my nose, bit by bit......)
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To: beachn4fun

Hello Beachie...hope your Monday goes well! *Hugs*


358 posted on 03/05/2007 10:38:58 AM PST by AZamericonnie
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To: Tamar1973

EEEEEeeeeeeee

Tarantula maybe, but no cricket bread.


359 posted on 03/05/2007 10:40:49 AM PST by TASMANIANRED (No stinking peanut butter.)
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To: StarCMC

Yep, we can become very lazy and nobody cares how lazy we get and we don't care that they don't care. Life is wonderful. :-)

PHBLT!


360 posted on 03/05/2007 10:41:21 AM PST by El Gran Salseron (The World-Famous, popular DJ and FReeper Canteen Certified, Equal-Opportunity, Male-Chauvinist-Pig!)
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