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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Stephen Moushegian, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 15 July 1969 while serving as an aerial scout pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while on a visual reconnaissance mission Lieutenant Moushegian received a radio message indicating contact with a company of enemy troops. He immediately flew to the area of contact and made several low level low speed reconnaissance flights over the area, relaying a continual flow of valuable information to the ground commander. Despite the intense enemy automatic weapons fire directed at this aircraft, he volunteered to fly over the enemy positions to mark targets, although his own aircraft had already sustained numerous hits. After directing the Air Force fighter bombers in their strafing and bombing runs, he again flew over the area, making bomb damage assessments and marking additional targets for the helicopter gunships. First Lieutenant Moushegian’s devotion to duty and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.



