(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Dennis W. Traynor, III, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Airman’s Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Airman’s Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
22d Airlift SquadronDivision:
Clark Air Base, Philippine IslandsAction Date:
April 3, 1975
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Captain Dennis W. Traynor, III, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life, while serving with the 22d Airlift Squadron, Clark Air Base, Philippine Islands, in action at Saigon, Vietnam, on 3 April 1975. On that date, Captain Harp was serving as Aircraft Commander aboard a United States Air Force C-5A Aircraft performing a humanitarian mission airlifting Vietnamese orphans and United States civilians from Saigon, South Vietnam, to the United States. When a serious in-flight emergency ultimately resulted in a crash landing of the aircraft, he demonstrated great professionalism and heroism in the efforts to rescue survivors. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, Captain Traynor has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
22d Airlift SquadronDivision:
Clark Air Base, Philippine IslandsAction Date:
November 13, 1971
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 Captain Dennis W. Traynor, III, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Aircraft Commander near Tay Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 November 1971. On that date, Captain Traynor displayed extraordinary courage and airmanship while landing on a primitive jungle airstrip to re-supply forward troop emplacements. Under intensive ground fire, he delivered vital supplies and ammunition to Tay Ninh which helped keep the outpost free from enemy control. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Traynor reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
22d Airlift SquadronDivision:
Clark Air Base, Philippine IslandsAction Date:
April 3, 1975
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Dennis W. Traynor, III, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism and airmanship while engaged in a humanitarian mission as Aircraft Commander of an Air Force C-5A aircraft of the 22d Airlift Squadron, Clark Air Base, Philippine Islands, in action at Saigon, Vietnam on 3 April 1975. On that date, the aircraft, carrying 330 passengers and crew, experienced a serious in-flight emergency which could have resulted in the loss of life for all aboard. With no aircraft controls except one aileron and the engines, Captain Traynor guided the crippled aircraft to a crash landing in a rice paddy, thereby saving the lives of 176 of the people on board. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Captain Traynor reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.