The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Michael Huff, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 14 February 1970 while serving as an aviator with the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date elements of the 1st Squadron came under intense rocket propelled grenade, rifle grenade, small arms and machine gun fire from an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Lieutenant Huff monitored a call for medical evacuation helicopters and realized that the ground troops had sustained casualties and the helicopters would take forty minutes to arrive. Braving the intense anti-aircraft fire directed toward him he landed amongst the enemy fusillade five different times to aid twelve soldiers to receive expedient medical attention which possible saved several lives. First Lieutenant Huff’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Michael Huff, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 12 May 1970 while serving as Aircraft Commander with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date elements of Troop B encountered an estimated squad of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Three men had sustained wounds and were in need of medical evacuation. An evacuation helicopter was in the area but refused to make the extraction when it learned that there were no gunships in the vicinity to support it. Lieutenant Huff had monitored the radio message and volunteered to make the rescue. As he lowered his aircraft into the landing zone they began to receive small arms rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire from the insurgents. He adeptly landed the craft, picked up the wounded personnel and flew to the field hospital where medical attention was waiting. First Lieutenant Huff’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

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 Chief Warrant Officer (CW-2) Michael Huff, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 14 August 1969 while serving as an aviator with 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Warrant Officer Huff was flying in the squadron command and control ship when friendly ground elements came under heavy enemy fire. As the ship circled over the area Warrant Officer Huff directed suppressive machine gun fire against the enemy force, although receiving intense small arms and recoilless rifle fire. He was then asked to make an emergency landing to evacuate several seriously wounded troopers. Coming in low over the hundred foot rubber trees he received intense enemy ground fire before he landed the ship in a small landing zone. The seven casualties were quickly loaded and he took off. As the hostile fire swept through the aircraft he managed to fly the ship safely away and was instrumental in saving the lives of the wounded men. Warrant Officer Huff’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Michael Huff, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 10 October 1969 while serving as a pilot of a light observation helicopter with the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while flying reconnaissance for Troop B, Lieutenant Huff noticed a large hostile force engaging the friendly forces. Informed of the necessity for quick evacuation of some of the wounded Lieutenant Huff maneuvered his craft into a tiny landing zone. With complete disregard for the intense enemy fire, Lieutenant Huff waited until the wounded could be loaded into his ship and then quickly flew them back to a secure landing zone. Immediately returning to the area of contact, Lieutenant Huff flew at extreme low altitude to mark targets and direct artillery and air strikes upon the enemy positions. In spite of the heavy machine gun fire directed at his ship, Lieutenant Huff was instrumental in the destruction of more than fifty enemy positions. Lieutenant Huff was directly responsible for the defeat of a large enemy force and the failure of the enemy’s mission. First Lieutenant Huff’s daring resourcefulness and great dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Michael Huff, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 21 January 1970 while serving as an aviator with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while flying a command and control mission over Troop B and C, the troops came in contact with a large enemy force firing heavy volumes of rocket propelled grenades, recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his own safety Lieutenant Huff flew his aircraft at tree top level to enable the S-3 officer to pin point the enemy positions. He then maneuvered his craft to the most advantageous spots for adjusting artillery and air strikes. In spite of the intense enemy fire Lieutenant Huff continued to maneuver over the enemy positions noting and describing enemy anti-aircraft weapons and helping to eliminate the enemy. Receiving word that one of the friendly soldiers needed immediate medical care, Lieutenant Huff volunteered to fly through the intense fire to evacuate him. Lieutenant Huff’s skill and courage saved the life of a friendly soldier and aided in the defeat of a large and well equipped enemy force. Lieutenant Huff’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Michael Huff, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 12 June 1970 while serving as aircraft commander with the Aviation Section, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date as Troop A was being engaged by an enemy force of unknown size Lieutenant Huff was flying overhead in his helicopter. Although he was receiving an intense volume of enemy ground fire he maneuvered his craft in such a manner that the ground troops could be properly directed and artillery called in upon the enemy positions. Even though Lieutenant Huff’s helicopter was damaged by the enemy fire he responded to a call for medical evacuation. After landing near the wounded men and placing them on board the raft he successfully maneuvered out of the contact area, all the while coming under an intense barrage of enemy bullets. First Lieutenant Huff’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.