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 Geoffrey Peter Engels (AFSN: 0-63816), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an O-1 Pilot and Forward Air Controller, 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, on 11 April 1967. On that date, Captain Engels was controlling a combat support mission directed against an occupied unfriendly base camp. When the mission was near completion he received a call that the nearby support base was under heavy mortar attack. With complete disregard for his own safety and in spite of intense automatic weapons fire, Captain Engels was able to locate and mark the unfriendly locations for the fighters. Captain Engels’ actions resulted in the destruction of two mortar and three automatic weapon positions, and completely halting the attack. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Engels reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
19th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Bien Hoa Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
March 31 & April 1, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-628 (March 2, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Geoffrey Peter Engels (AFSN: 0-63816), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an O-1E Pilot and Forward Air Controller of the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Tay Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, on 31 March 1967 and 1 April 1967. During this period, as Captain Engels was directing aircraft on a combat support mission, a numerically superior hostile force was attempting to overrun a friendly forces base camp. Captain Engels was one of the five Forward Air Controllers who, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, repeatedly braved a hail of heavy hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire to mark advancing human-wave attacks. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Engels has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 with Combat “V” to Captain Geoffrey Peter Engels (AFSN: 0-63816), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a B-52 Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia, on 13 January 1973. On that date, despite the battle damage inflicted by a surface-to-air missile and the multiple emergencies incurred, Captain Engels successfully released his weapons on his designated target. A second missile detonation subsequent to weapon release further crippled the aircraft; nevertheless, through professional skill and superior airmanship Captain Engels returned to his home base and safely recovered the aircraft and crew. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Engels reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.