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 (Armor) Daryl Spann (ASN: 0-5247962), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 29 October 1968 while serving as a door gunner with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of Bien Hoa, Lieutenant Spann was flying a reconnaissance mission in conjunction with friendly ground forces, when suddenly his helicopter began receiving intensive small arms and automatic weapons fire from an enemy force of unknown size. Lieutenant Spann, through completely exposed to intense hostile fire directed at this craft, unleashed an accurate barrage of machine gun fire upon the hostile forces. When the enemy position had been silenced the pilot of the aircraft maneuvered the helicopter into a small landing zone, allowing the troop commander to disembark from the aircraft to direct the friendly ground forces in their search of the area. Suddenly, Lieutenant Spann’s aircraft was again engaged by enemy automatic weapons fire. He immediately saturated the enemy position with a profuse barrage of fire, neutralizing them until the pilot lifted the aircraft. While circling within range of the enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Spann repositioned himself in the co-pilot’s seat and using the aircraft’s radio, directed the ground forces to the enemy’s position and the resupply of the ground elements. He continued in this capacity until darkness, when dense fog forced his pilot to return to his base of operations. First Lieutenant Spann’s dedication to duty and exceptional courage 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) Daryl Spann (ASN: 0-5247962), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 23 January 1969 while serving as an aircraft commander in an AH-1G Cobra gunship with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of Bien Hoa, Lieutenant Spann’s aircraft was directed to an area of dense jungle where a company sized enemy unit had been engaged by friendly forces. Upon reaching the scene of the fierce engagement, Lieutenant Spann maneuvered his aircraft into a low level assault of the Communist positions while his gunner unleashed a highly accurate barrage of fire upon the enemy forces. Again and again he directed his aircraft through intense enemy fire, directing his aircraft’s firepower upon the hostile positions. After expending all his ordnance, he returned to base, rearmed and refueled, and upon learning that the friendly ground forces had been pinned down by the intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, returned to the area of contact. He initiated a strafing run over the enemy positions, thereby permitting the friendly unit to withdraw and call in air and artillery strikes. First Lieutenant Spann’s dedication to duty and disregard of personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.