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Captain Marvin F. Teel is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary meritorious achievement and heroism while participating in a combat mission against enemy forces in the vicinity of Singaye in North Korea on 28 August 1951. Despite sub-marginal weather Captain Teel, as pilot of a B-26 type light bomber flew his aircraft through his assigned area for purposes of interdiction. In this area a convoy of approximately 75 vehicles was sighted and a bomb run was attempted. The bombs failed to release but the bomb run brought forth a barrage of heavy and intense anti-aircraft fire, as well as heavy and accurate small arms fire. Despite these hindrances Captain Teel returned for two additional bomb runs to achieve the greatest possible effectiveness from the bomb lead of 260 pound fragmentation bombs fitted with VT type fuses. When the bomb load was dispatched, he continued with numerous dangerous strafing passes until his ammunition was completely expended. These passes required that Captain Teel fly his aircraft down through high mountainous terrain despite the poor visibility and low hanging clouds in the area. An estimate of result of this heroic effort by Captain Teel showed approximately ten vehicles were completely destroyed and approximately twenty vehicles were damaged. The time spent in the immediate area during these tactics was 55 minutes. This officer's magnificent display of personal courage and flying skill reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
First Lieutenant Lynn E. Thomas is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for exemplary determination, extraordinary flying skill and courage on a combat mission over North Korea. As element leader in a flight of four (4) F-80 type aircraft, Lieutenant Thomas was entering his bomb run when his aircraft was struck in the right tip tank by a forty (40) millimeter projectile, severing the tip tank and placing the aircraft in a spin. He recovered from the spin and spotted the anti-aircraft battery which was continuing to fire at his flight. He then altered his bomb run at the battery, which he demolished with a direct hit, thereby insuring the safety of the flight. By his skill, determination, and high personal courage, Lieutenant Thomas has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force
General Orders: All Hands (February 1953)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Electronics Technician First Class Kenneth P. Thomason, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a Member of a Patrol Plane Crew in Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VP-47), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, from 2 July to 25 December 1950. Completing thirty-five combat missions during this period, he participated in daring strikes against the enemy in the face of imminent hostile anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition. By his outstanding skill, courage and loyal devotion to duty throughout, he contributed materially to the success of his squadron and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Headquarters, 5th Air Force
General Orders No. 604 - September 2, 1953
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Alton J. Thorgersen, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 19 July 1953 in aerial combat against enemies of the United States in Korea, as pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, 5th Air Force. On this day, Lieutenant Thogersen was leading a two ship element in a flight of four F-86's on a combat patrol deep in enemy territory when he sighted eight MiG-15's and called them out to his flight leader. As his leader initiated an attack on one of the MiGs, Lieutenant Thogersen observed four of the remaining enemy MiGs slide out for a counter attack. Skillfully maneuvering his aircraft, Lieutenant Thogersen aggressively turned into the four MiGs forcing them to break off their counter attack. At that time, four more enemy MiGs attacked Lieutenant Thogersen and his flight leader, but through superior airmanship and fearless courage, Lieutenant Thogersen also engaged these four and forced them away from his leader. By aggressively engaging the eight enemy aircraft and keeping them from attacking his flight leader, Lieutenant Thogersen, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, allowed his leader to accomplish the destruction of one MIG-15. This mission exemplifies the exceptionally outstanding airmanship and selfless courage displayed by Lieutenant Thogersen throughout his combat tour, and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Captain Harvey A. Tofte is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea while serving with a Marine helicopter transport squadron on 8 July 1953. Serving as a pilot, Captain Tofte displayed exceptional courage, professional skill and devotion to duty. He volunteered to evacuate by helicopter a critically wounded Marine from a forward medical company to a hospital ship. Despite prior knowledge that the flight would take place during the hours of darkness over mountainous terrain under extremely adverse weather conditions, he expressed complete disregard for his personal safety and courageously flew to the medical company. After recovering the seriously injured Marine, he dauntlessly flew to the hospital ship through rain and fog and over mountainous terrain in an aircraft not equipped with navigational instruments. His heroic efforts, determination and exceptionally competent airmanship expeditiously delivered the man to the best medical facilities available and aided materially in saving the man's life. Realizing that no other aircraft were available for emergency evacuation missions, he returned to the squadron's forward echelon through the same hazardous flying conditions in order to make his aircraft available for any future evacuation missions. Captain Tofte's alertness, efficient action and devotion to duty served as an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
First Lieutenant Donald Tooker, United States Naval Service is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a fighter plane against the enemy on 6 June 1951. First Lieutenant Tooker, as a section leader in a four-plane flight on a close air support mission east of the Hwach’on Reservoir in Korea, worked in conjunction with the Forward Air Controller of a Marine Battalion that was pinned down by Chinese Communist troops. In spite of intense small arms fire and extremely adverse weather conditions, First Lieutenant Tooker repeatedly led his section in making minimum altitude attacks with napalm, rockets and strafing against the entrenched enemy troops. These successful attacks enabled the United Nations forces to occupy this important objective with negligible opposition. Three hundred enemy dead were confirmed by the occupying forces. With unerring judgment and outstanding airmanship, First Lieutenant Tooker dealt a damaging blow to the enemy. His aggressive actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: All Hands (February 1953)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class James A. Trent, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a Member of a Patrol Plane Crew in Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VP-47), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, from 2 July to 25 December 1950. Completing thirty-five combat missions during this period, he participated in daring strikes against the enemy in the face of imminent hostile anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition. By his outstanding skill, courage and loyal devotion to duty throughout, he contributed materially to the success of his squadron and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.