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 Airman Second Class Steve Michael Northern (AFSN: AF-18724833), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Specialist in Southeast Asia on 30 August 1967. On that date, Airman Northern rescued a downed fighter pilot from the water in close proximity to a hostile coastline. While under fire from hostile shore artillery batteries, Airman Northern voluntarily dove into the shark-infested sea as the aircraft landed and swam to the pilot to cut him loose from his equipment and assisted him back to the aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Airman Northern 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 to Airman Second Class Steve Michael Northern (AFSN: AF-18724833), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Specialist on a vital and dangerous rescue mission near Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam on 31 March 1967. On that date, the crew was scrambled at 0300 hours in a dense overcast to locate a pilot who had bailed out of his crippled fighter. Penetrating the heavy overcast and letting down through it with no navigation aids and encountering heavy visible ground fire from the hostile forces, the crew located the downed pilot in the dark and hoisted him to safety aboard the helicopter. The crew twice penetrated the heavy overcast and encountered ground fire three times during their attempt to locate and rescue the downed airman. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Airman Northern 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 a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Sergeant Steve Michael Northern (AFSN: AF-18724833), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Specialist of an HH-3E Helicopter in Southeast Asia on 21 April 1968. On that date, Sergeant Northern was instrumental in the rescue of four crewmembers of two United States Army helicopter gunships shot down by intense hostile ground fire. With unwavering calmness and courage, Sergeant Northern manned the machine gun on the left side of the rescue helicopter. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Northern 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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Sergeant Steve Michael Northern (AFSN: AF-18724833), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Specialist aboard an HH-3E Helicopter near Hue, Republic of Vietnam on 14 March 1968. On that date, Sergeant Northern, after his helicopter had been hit and driven off in one rescue effort, attempted the rescue of a downed pilot who was completely surrounded by hostile forces. Sergeant Northern persisted in the rescue effort, under intense hostile fire, until his aircraft was disabled and on fire as a result of the fierce opposition. Sergeant Northern continued to return the hostile fire until the helicopter was clear of the hostile area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Northern reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.