Distinguished Flying Cross |
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Four officers and noncommissioned
officers of the 17th TA Sq., were
decorated with the Air Force’s Distinguished Flying Cross for
their part in the August 14, 1967,
rescue of two British Nationals from the frozen wastes of Greenland. The presentation ceremony
took place March 27, on the flight line at Elmendorf. Rescued from their
wrecked aircraft on the Greenland ice cap were Bernard G.
Mocket, Brighton, England, and Sydney J. Woolterton, 12 Major Road, Kent, England. These men were
saved from certain death in the sub-freezing environment of the ice cap by
the C-130 Hercules aircrew. The body of the third victim in the accident, Raymond Hawkins, of Bickley, England, was not found even though the aircrew made a thorough but unsuccessful search. Receiving the Air Force's six- th highest decoration for distin- guishing themselves by heroism while participating in aerial flight in a C-130 Hercules aircraft were Lt. Col. Woodrow L. Myers, Capt. William D. Nielson, MSgt. Ernest 0. Williams, Jr., now retired, and SSgt. Douglas F. Cave, Jr. |
Also receiving United
States Air Force decorations for the rescue were Maj. George M. Gregelein,
aircraft commander at that time, and Capt. Donald R. Miller, co-pilot of the
aircraft. These officers were not able to attend the presentation ceremony
because of other military duties. Major Gregelein will receive the Legion of
Merit, the Air Force's fifth highest award, and Captain Miller will receive
the Distinguished Flying Cross at a
later date. On that date last
August, while on a routine logistical support mission to the Distant Early
Warning Radar Site III located more
than 200 miles east of Sondrestrom AB, Greenland, the aircrew received an
aircraft radio communication that a British owned Grand Commander aircraft
was overdue arrival at the Island of Kulusuk. The aircrew, commanded by Major Gregelein,
altered the flight path of their aircraft and took a search heading for the
missing aircraft. In approximately 30
minutes, the scattered wreckage of the airplane was discovered. A survivor was discovered making a
feeble but frantic attempt to attract
his potential rescuers. |
The decision was then
made to make a landing on the un-surveyed and treacherous snow covered ice
and pick up the survivors. The citation
accompanying the award read in part, "Major Myers and crew executed
their aircrew duties in an exemplary manner and assisted in providing aid to
the downed airmen. Their outstanding acts of heroism and selfless devotion to
duty contributed to the safe evacuation of both airmen.” Col. Richard R.
Coursey, Jr., 21st Comp. Wg., vice commander, in making the presentations,
said, "While we are aware daily of the exploits of our fellow members
stationed in Vietnam, this experience in Greenland brings into sharp focus
the fact that we in the Air Force really and truly have a global mission. We
can be found flying and maintaining air- planes most anywhere in the
world. |
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