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 Fred Howard Otte (AFSN: FV-3056550), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander near DaNang, Republic of Vietnam on 16 January 1967. On that date, Captain Otte was scrambled to attempt the extraction of a Special Forces team which was completely surrounded by hostile forces. Despite extremely hazardous weather conditions and mountainous terrain, Captain Otte defied continuous hostile fire to recover eight members of the team. The eight personnel recovered under combat conditions by Captain Otte represent the highest total ever achieved in a single rescue by an HH-3E helicopter. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Otte reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
37th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
January 16, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1166 (April 20, 1968) -
Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
37th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
August 23, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special orders G-2166 (December 4, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Fred Howard Otte (AFSN: FV-3056550), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving a Rescue Crew Commander with the 37th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action on 23 August 1967, over North Vietnam. On that date, Captain Otte flew his HH-3E helicopter to a position where another rescue helicopter had been badly damaged by hostile ground fire and forced to withdraw. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Otte established a hover over the downed pilot in the face of very heavy ground fire. Captain Otte maintained a hover position in the face of hostile fire while the downed pilot, who was injured and unable to move, was put on the hoist and brought into the helicopter. Captain Otte then successfully flew through heavy anti-aircraft fire upon departing the area. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Otte has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
37th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
March 6, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1997 (July 7, 1968)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 Captain Fred Howard Otte (AFSN: FV-3056550), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E in Southeast Asia on 6 March 1968. On that date, Captain Otte penetrated an extremely hostile area to search for the crew of a United States Marine helicopter which had been shot down. Captain Otte rescued two survivors and returned to the crash site in an attempt to rescue the remainder of the crew. Captain Otte maintained a prolonged hover over the burning wreckage until he was forced to withdraw by exploding ordnance and flying debris. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Otte reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
37th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
May 21, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Fred Howard Otte (AFSN: FV-3056550), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving a Rescue Crew Commander with the 37th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action on 21 May 1968, in Southeast Asia. On that date, Captain Otte effected the rescue of a United States Air Force Forward Air Controller whose aircraft was shot down by hostile fire, which had previously disabled and driven off another rescue helicopter. Captain Otte, with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill established a hover in the face of hostile gunfire and effected the rescue of the downed pilot. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Otte has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.