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 Staff Sergeant Richard Lee Simmon (AFSN: 18769254), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Flight Engineer on an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter near Tchepone, Laos, on 20 August 1972. On that date, Sergeant Simmon voluntarily flew into hostile territory to accomplish the recovery of a downed American pilot. Despite ground fire being directed at his hovering helicopter, Sergeant Simmon stood unprotected in the crew door to operate the rescue hoist and recover the survivor. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Simmon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Staff SergeantBatallion:
40th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
November 18, 1972
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders GB-0394 (March 28, 1973)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Richard Lee Simmon (AFSN: 18769254), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Detachment 12, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 18 November 1972. On that date, Sergeant Simmon, a Flight Engineer on an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter, voluntarily penetrated deep into North Vietnam to effect the daring aerial rescue of two downed American aircrew members. Sergeant Simmon exposed himself to the intense ground fire as he stood in the open doorway to hoist the two survivors to safety aboard the helicopter. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Simmon has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Staff SergeantBatallion:
40th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
June 27, 1972
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 Staff Sergeant Richard Lee Simmon (AFSN: 18769254), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Detachment 2, 40th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in Southeast Asia on 27 June 1972. On that date, Sergeant Simmon, as Flight Engineer on an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter, voluntarily and at great risk to his own life, penetrated a hostile and heavily defended area of North Vietnam to effect the rescue of a downed American airman. His professional skill and determination in manning his exposed hoist operator’s position to recover the survivor and an assisting crewman while under intense hostile ground fire, were invaluable to the successful completion of this most hazardous mission. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Simmon has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Staff SergeantBatallion:
40th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
January 15, 1973
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 Staff Sergeant Richard Lee Simmon (AFSN: 18769254), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Flight Engineer in Southeast Asia on 15 January 1973. On that date, Sergeant Simmon’s job knowledge, outstanding airmanship, and continuous professionalism, displayed under the constant threat of hostile fire and adverse weather conditions, immeasurably aided the 40th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron in the accomplishment of the rescue mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Simmon reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.