The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Francis J. Cuddy, Jr. (MCSN: 0-94240), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HMM-367), Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-SIX (MAG-36), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 31 August 1969, Captain Cuddy launched as Wingman in a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a United States Army Special Forces reconnaissance team, which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force in a mountainous area deep in enemy-controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the friendly patrol was located in tall elephant grass on the side of a steep ridge and was receiving intense hostile fire from three sides. Realizing the urgency of extracting the beleaguered team when a fire in the dry grass caused by gunship attacks on the enemy positions further endangered the reconnaissance patrol, Captain Cuddy, undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire directed at his aircraft, directed the extraction helicopters into the hazardous area and then maneuvered his gunship at tree-top level during repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered all of his ordnance upon the enemy positions with pin-point accuracy. As a result of his flight’s devastating attacks, the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable the transport helicopters to enter the precarious area and safely extract the reconnaissance team. Captain Cuddy’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Francis J. Cuddy, Jr. (MCSN: 0-94240), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HMM-367), Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-SIX (MAG-36), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the afternoon of 8 June 1969, Captain Cuddy launched as Copilot aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a six-man Marine reconnaissance team that was heavily engaged in combat with a North Vietnamese Army force in a densely-jungled mountains section of Quang Tri Province. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the patrol was surrounded and pinned down by intense hostile fire and that a transport helicopter on station would attempt the extraction. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of fire directed against his aircraft, Captain Cuddy alertly sighted and reported the location of sources of hostile fire and delivered highly effective suppressive machine gun fire, which enabled the extraction aircraft to establish a hover above the beleaguered Marines. Almost immediately, the helicopter came under intense hostile fire and was forced to abort the extraction. After refueling and rearming at the Vandegrift Combat Base, his UH-1E returned to the perilous area after nightfall and was informed that the transport helicopters would be available to extract the team during the night. Upon consultation with the pilot, he resolutely concurred with the decision to attempt the extraction of the embattled Marines. While all nonessential equipment was jettisoned from his aircraft, Captain Cuddy skillfully monitored his gauges and provided a continuous flow of vital information which enabled his pilot to maneuver into the fire-swept area and establish a hove above the patrol. At once his helicopter came under an extremely heavy volume of fire, twenty rounds of which struck and severely damaged his gunship. Although wounded, Captain Cuddy calmly and skillfully assisted at the controls, quickly assessed the extent of the damage and provided clearance data which enabled his pilot to avoid the tall trees and mountains as he maneuvered the crippled UH-1E out of the hazardous area, proceeded to the Vandegrift Combat Base, and executed an emergency landing. Captain Cuddy’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Francis J. Cuddy, Jr. (MCSN: 0-94240), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HMM-367), Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-SIX (MAG-36), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the afternoon of 22 August 1969, Captain Cuddy launched as Wingman in a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a nine-man reconnaissance patrol which was heavily engaged in combat with a North Vietnamese Army force deep in enemy-controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he established an orbit until fixed-wing air strikes were completed and then boldly executed repeated rocket and strafing runs against enemy automatic weapons emplacements along a ridgeline overlooking the patrol’s position. When one of the transport helicopters attempting to extract the team sustained severe damage and was forced to land 1,000 meters from the patrol, Captain Cuddy expertly delivered covering fire which enabled the downed crew to be extracted. After refueling and rearming his gunship, Captain Cuddy, undeterred by the darkness which created additional hazards, resolutely returned to the beleaguered team and provided such highly effective suppressive fire that the first aircraft was able to establish a hover, let four team members attach themselves to its extraction ropes, and lift them out of the dangerous area. Undaunted by the constant threat of hostile fire, he boldly marked the pickup site with his spotlights as the second transport helicopter extracted the remaining five patrol members on the ropes it had lowered. While en route to the Vandegrift Combat Base, Captain Cuddy assumed the lead while the section leader positioned himself at the rear of the flight to maintain a constant check on the condition of the men on the extraction ropes. Skillfully navigating the flight over the precarious terrain, he directed efforts which resulted in the reconnaissance team landing safely at the base. Captain Cuddy’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.