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 (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant] Isidro S. Valdez, Jr. (ASN: 0-1997748), United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea from 16 August 1950 to 19 August 1950. Captain Valdez’ outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Isidro
S.
Valdez
Jr.
Home:
,
Oklahoma
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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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
15th Field Artillery BattalionDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
August 16 – 19, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 72 (October 18, 1950) -
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
15th Field Artillery BattalionDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
August 24, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 85 (November 3, 1950)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant] Isidro S. Valdez, Jr. (ASN: 0-1997748), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 24 August 1950 in the vicinity of the Naktong River, Korea. While piloting an L-16 aircraft, Captain Valdez observed approximately 200 enemy troops preparing to attack friendly troops in the Naktong River salient. Although darkness was close at hand and a severe thunder and rain storm was approaching, he chose to remain in the target area to observe artillery fire upon the enemy despite the fact that his plane was not equipped for night or heavy weather flying. As a result of this observation, the advance of the enemy troops was halted and the attack broken up. In returning to the landing strip, Captain Valdez was unable to fly around the storm and was forced to fly over dangerous mountain terrain without the aid of navigation lights or adequate instrument. Due to the heavy rain he was unable to identify his air strip from the normal approach pattern and was forced to circle the area at a critically low altitude until the landing strip was disclosed by a lightning flash. Without the aid of instruments, landing lights, or field lights, Captain Valdez successfully landed the aircraft during a subsequent lightning flash. The gallantry and high devotion to duty displayed by Captain Valdez on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
15th Field Artillery BattalionDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 2 – 6, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 72 (October 18, 1950)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 (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant] Isidro S. Valdez, Jr. (ASN: 0-1997748), United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea from 2 September 1950 to 6 September 1950. Captain Valdez’ outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
15th Field Artillery BattalionDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
October 8 – 17, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 72 (October 18, 1950)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 Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant] Isidro S. Valdez, Jr. (ASN: 0-1997748), United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea from 8 October 1950 to 17 October 1950. Captain Valdez’ outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant]Batallion:
15th Field Artillery BattalionDivision:
2d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 20 – 22, 1950
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 72 (October 18, 1950)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant] Isidro S. Valdez, Jr. (ASN: 0-1997748), United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea from 20 September 1950 to 22 September 1950. Captain Valdez’ outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.