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 to First Lieutenant (Armor) Stephen Moushegian, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 5 September 1969 while serving as a pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he was performing a low level reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Loc Ninh. He spotted enemy movement and maneuvered his aircraft to treetop level to determine the nature of the activity below. Suddenly his helicopter came under intense small arms fire, but he took evasive action and broke safely from the area. Then disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Moushegian again approached the area to mark the enemy positions with smoke grenades. Again the aircraft came under intense fire wounding him seriously and causing considerable damage to the helicopter. Nevertheless, he piloted the aircraft from the immediate area of contact. Though forced to turn the controls over to the non-pilot observer, Warrant Officer Moushegian provided directions which enabled the observer to fly the aircraft safely to base of operations. First Lieutenant Moushegian’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.



