In God We Trust
The Air Medals is awarded to anyone who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, has distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. This is an incomplete list of recipients of the medal, awarded for exceptional service in (or related to) Korea after the Korean War. To contribute missing information, contact us.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 3 - 28 January 1964
Captain Kenneth J. Alves, Armor, United States Army, a member of the Aviation Section, Detachment L (Provisional), United States Army Advisory Group to Korea, distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight near Wonju, Korea, on 17 July 1953. As pilot of an OH-23D helicopter, Captain Alves demonstrated outstanding flying ability, perseverance, and sound judgment in his voluntary efforts to rescue thirty Korean women and children from a small island in the Somgang River which was swollen by the torrential rains of Typhoon Wendy. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, and despite the darkness, heavy rainfall, and hazardous flying conditions, he quickly located the stranded people and effectively completed seven lifts from the island threatened by inundation. Captain Alves' exceptional flying skill and heroic action during this mercy mission reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding courage on 17 July 1963 as announced in General Orders Number 81, Headquarters, U.S. Army Advisory Group, Korea, dated 14 August 1963.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 18 - 24 April 1968
Specialist Six Charles A. Breneman, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroic action on 24 October 1967 in Seoul, Korea. As one of the crew members of a UH-1B helicopter, he helped in saving the lives of approximately 40 people trapped on the roof of a burning building in downtown Seoul. After the helicopter succeeded in landing on the roof of the burning building, Special Breneman was highly instrumental in calming the frantic people, frightened by the raging flames and the great amount of smoke, and preventing chaos. He then supervised the loading of the helicopter. In order to evacuate a maximum number of people in the helicopter, it was necessary for Specialist Breneman to hang to the open door. The helicopter made three trips through intense fire and smoke and the crew successfully saved the lives of all the trapped people. Specialist Breneman's heroic actions are exemplary of the highest traditions of the United States Army. His courageous actions are not only a credit to himself but to his command and to his country. (This award supersedes the Army Commendation Medal awarded to Specialist Six Breneman as announced in General Order Number 1, Headquarters, Eighth United States Army, dated 5 January 1968.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 12 - 17 March 1967
Specialist Four Paul W. Fehringer, US55807518, United States Army, is cited for heroism on 26 July 1966. Specialist Fehringer was acting as a crew chief on a UH-1B helicopter conducting flood rescue operations in the inundated Han River Valley, east of Seoul, Korea. The crew's first rescue operation involved evacuating approximately 170 persons stranded on the rapidly disappearing high ground of a Korean village. The helicopter landed in a backyard of one of the village homes, in the only remaining dry area which measured about 50 square feet. Immediately following the helicopter's landing, the flood victims began pushing, shoving and fighting, all seeking to board the ship. Responding immediately to the explosiveness of the situation, Sergeant Fehringer jumped out into the midst of the mob and by using sign language, and a limited amount of Korean, he attempted to gain control. Pulling an English speaking Korean to his side he shouted orders that were translated and brought the crowd under his control. He then began to systematically load women and children into the helicopter. During the two mile flight to the off-loading area, Specialist Fehringer spent his time reassuring frightened mothers and children and maintaining control. Ten flights were required to evacuate this group of people. On another occasion it was necessary to hover over a house to get to the people stranded within the building. While the helicopter was hovering, Specialist Fehringer climbed down the skid to the roof of the house and went inside to help them. Specialist Fehringer's actions throughout the rescue operations brought great credit on himself and the United States Army.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 40 - 9 December 1965
Specialist Five James D. Huckobey, (then Specialist Four), United States Army, while serving as a member of Company A, 7th Aviation Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea on 1 March 1965. When informed of the need of an aerial operation to recover the body of a hunter from a known but uncharted mine field, Specialist Huckobey unhesitatingly volunteered as Assistant Crew Chief of an Army CH-21 helicopter for the dangerous mission. While the pilot hovered the helicopter inches from the ground, Specialist Huckobey hung from the door of the aircraft and exposed his body from the waist forward to the mine infested area to reach the victim. Through his determination and courage, he continued this brave effort for over an hour until the recovery operation was completed. His fortitude and perseverance, combined with the invaluable assistance he provided the pilot in guiding the aircraft, contributed significantly to the success of the difficult evacuation mission. Specialist Huckobey's heroism and professional skill in this perilous recovery operation reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 5 - 23 February 1966
Captain Walter M. Littleton, Artillery, while serving as a member of Company A, 7th Aviation Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea, on 1 March 1965. When informed of the need of an aerial operation to recover the body of a hunter from a known but uncharted minefield, Captain Littleton unhesitatingly volunteered as co-pilot of an Army CH-21 helicopter for the dangerous mission. With fortitude, perseverance, and exceptional flying ability, he and the pilot skillfully maneuvered the helicopter over a mine infested area while the crew chief and the assistant crew chief hung from the door of the aircraft and attached a rope to the body of the hunter killed by a mine. Although forced to hover the helicopter inches above the ground for over an hour before recovery of the body was finally achieved, he displayed professional competence, determination, and courage which resulted in the success of the difficult evacuation mission. Captain Littleton's heroism and outstanding flying ability in this hazardous recovery operation reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Medal for heroism 1 March 1965, as announced in General Orders Number 125, Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division, APO San Francisco, 96207, dated 15 March 1965.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 52 - 18 December 1963
Captain Travis L. Moore, Armor, United States Army, a member of the Aviation Section, Detachment L (Provisional), United States Army Advisory Group to Korea, distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight near Wanjo, Korea, on 17 July 1963. As pilot of an OH-23D helicopter, Captain Moore demonstrated outstanding flying ability, perseverance, and sound judgment in his voluntary efforts to rescue 30 Korean women and children from a small island in the Somgang River which was swollen by the torrential rains of Typhoon Wendy. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, and despite the darkness, heavy rainfall, and hazardous flying conditions, he quickly located the stranded people and effectively completed seven lifts from the island threatened by inundation. Captain Moore's exceptional flying skill and heroic action during this mercy mission reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding courage on 17 July 1963 as announced in General Orders Number 81, Headquarters, U.S. Army Advisory Group, Korea, dated 14 August 1963.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 40 - 9 December 1965
Staff Sergeant Clyde L. Pine, while serving as a member of Company A, 7th Aviation Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea, on 1 March 1965. When informed of the need of an aerial operation to recover the body of a hunter from a known but uncharted mine field, Sergeant Pine unhesitatingly volunteered as Crew Chief of an Army CH-21 helicopter for the dangerous mission. While the pilot hovered the helicopter inches from the ground, Sergeant Pine hung from the door of the aircraft and exposed his body from the waist forward to the mine infested area to reach the victim. Through his determination and courage, combined with the invaluable assistance he provided the pilot in guiding the aircraft, he contributed materially to the success of the difficult evacuation mission. Sergeant Pine's heroism, perseverance, and professional skill in this perilous recovery operation reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Medal for heroism on 1 March 1965, as announced in General Orders Number 127, Headquarters 7th Infantry Division, APO San Francisco, 96207, dated 15 July 1965.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 2 - 12 January 1966
Chief Warrant Officer Billy R. Prater, Jr., United States Army, while serving as a member of Company A, 7th Aviation Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea on 1 March 1965. When informed of the need of an aerial operation to recover the body of a hunter from a known but uncharted minefield, Chief Warrant Officer Prater unhesitatingly volunteered as pilot of an Army Ch-21 helicopter for the dangerous mission. With courage, sound judgment, and outstanding flying ability, he skillfully maneuvered the helicopter over a mine infested area while the crew chief and the assistant crew chief hung from the door of the aircraft and attached a rope the body of the hunter killed by a mine. Although forced to hover the helicopter inches above the ground for over an hour before recovery of the body was finally achieved, he demonstrated determination, fortitude, and professional skill which resulted in the success of the difficult evacuation mission. Chief Warrant Officer Prater's heroism and unique flying ability in this hazardous recovery operation reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Medal for heroism 1 March 1965, as announced in General Orders Number 126, Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division, APO San Francisco 96207, dated 15 July 1965.)
Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 18 - 24 April 1968
Specialist Five Charles W. Sheppard, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroic action on 24 October 1967 in Seoul, Korea. As the crew chief of UH-1B helicopter, he helped in saving the lives of approximately forty people trapped on the roof of a burning building in downtown Seoul. After the helicopter succeed in landing on the roof of the burning building, Specialist Sheppard was highly instrumental in calming the frantic people, frightened by the raging flames and the great amount of smoke, and preventing chaos. Specialist Sheppard supervised the loading of the aircraft during the three trips through intense fire and smoke that were necessary in order to save the people that were endangered. The lives of all the trapped people were successfully saved and Specialist Sheppard's heroic actions are to be highly commended. His courageous actions are not only a credit to himself, but to his command and to his country. (This award supersedes the Army Commendation Medal awarded to Specialist Five Sheppard as announced in General Order Number 1, Headquarters Eighth United States Army, dated 5 January 1968.)