General Discussion & Chat: Best Thing/Worse Thing and What did I learn today? Part 7, 1 by araness

araness wrote:
Ok the sister finally sent me the citation for my Dad's DFC and a few pictures, you'll have to just all suffer through this cause I'm just proud as I can be. The citation reads:

The President of the United States of America Authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, has awarded the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS for Heroism to (Then) Warrant Officer Jack F. Saint United States Army
For distinguishing himself by heroic achievement while participating in aerial flight on 9 February 1965, in the Republic of Vietnam, while assigned to the 68th Aviation Company. On this date, Warrant Officer Saint was pilot of an armed UH-1B helicopter participating in a rescue mission. Warrant Officer Saint landed his helicopter under heavy fire to rescue the crew of another helicopter that had been shot down. Disregarding his personal safety, Warrant Officer Saint jumped from his aircraft, braving intense enemy small arms fire, to reach the crew of the downed aircraft. Recovering the injured crew of the downed helicopter, he returned to his own aircraft to find his co-pilot incapacitated from wounds. Warrant Officer Saint directed his door gunner and crew chief to return fire against the enemy forces, advancing on the landing zone, while he regained control of the damaged helicopter and fought his way out of the area. Once clear of the landing zone, Warrant Officer Saint directed the door gunner and crew chief as they provided first aid for their wounded comrades. Upon return to the helicopter staging area, his superiors determined that Warrant Officer Saint's helicopter was too damaged from enemy fire to continue flying and had it evacuated to the rear area for major repairs. Warrant Officer Saint's actions have shown a personal heroism and gallantry, professional competence, and concern for the safety of others, which are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.


When they gave Dad the award my sister said many called out, "Speech, speech." All he said was, "I just did my job."