The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in addition to two previously awarded Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Coast Guard Award) to Captain John Albert Firse (AFSN: FV-3081754), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 12 March 1968 as Aircraft Commander of a Coast Guard HH-52A helicopter engaged in the evacuation of 11 crewman from the floating oil rig JULIE ANN, Dixilyn No. 8, located 110 miles southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite severe weather conditions with 40-know winds, 20-foot seas and blowing spray, which constantly threatened to extinguish the aircraft’s engine, Captain Firse skillfully maneuvered the helicopter and hovered close aboard the sinking rig with his rotor blades less than 10 feet from the superstructure. Although occasional monstrous swells racked the rig even closer to the hovering helicopter, Captain First persevered and with utmost precision successfully hoisted seven survivors, off-loaded them on a nearby stationary oil rig platform and returned to the pounding rig to hoist four more survivors under the same arduous conditions. Captain First remained on scene until his critical fuel state forced him to relinquish his post and proceed to a fueling site. Captain Firse displayed expert airmanship and dauntless valor throughout this perilous mission. His aeronautical skill, courage, sound judgment and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Air Force.

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 Captain John Albert Firse (AFSN: FV-3081754), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander in Southeast Asia on 21 June 1967. On that date, Captain Firse penetrated an extremely hostile environment to recover a downed Air Force Pilot. Initially driven off by surface-to-air missiles, he returned to the scene where, pinpointing the survivor in a deep “V” shaped ravine, he hovered his aircraft into the extremely confined airspace where a successful recovery could be made. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain First reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain John Albert Firse (AFSN: FV-3081754), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander near Dien Bien Phu, North Vietnam on 6 December 1966. On that date, Captain Firse voluntarily proceeded unescorted to a hostile rescue area and, with unwavering calmness and courage, successfully recovered two downed airmen despite heavy automatic weapons fire directed at his helicopter. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain First reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.