Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Warrant Officer One (WO-1)

    Regiment:

    1st Aviation Brigade

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1968

    Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade, General Orders No. 7229 (October 23, 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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) John J. Engle (ASN: W-3157305), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 189th Assault Helicopter Company on 6 June 1968. Warrant Officer Engle distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as an aircraft commander on an armed helicopter during a mission to extract a Special Forces long range reconnaissance patrol in heavy contact with a much larger enemy force west of Kontum. En route to the team’s location, he encountered true monsoon weather, yet he expertly navigated his aircraft through constant thunder, thick clouds and a persistent deluge over treacherous mountain terrain. When he arrived on station, he immediately engaged the enemy. On the initial passes, he totally expended his armament systems in destroying numerous heavy caliber automatic weapons positions. This enabled the team to break contact and to move to a suitable extraction point. He continued to expose himself to enemy fire to cover the team with his door gun. He boldly defied enemy fire until the team had safely reached the extraction point. Through his courage and professionalism the team was safely rescued. His 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Warrant Officer One (WO-1)

    Regiment:

    1st Aviation Brigade

    Action Date:

    June 9, 1968

    Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade, General Orders No. 6326 (September 13, 1968)

    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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) John J. Engle (ASN: W-3157305), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 189th Assault Helicopter Company on 9 June 1968. Warrant Officer Engle distinguished himself by valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of a UH-1C armed helicopter escorting unarmed helicopters during the extraction of a patrol that had made contact with a numerically superior force west of Dak To. Due to the area the patrol was in, a McGuire Rig extraction was deemed necessary. During the entire operation, Warrant Officer Engle was continually exposed to a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons, and heavy automatic weapons fire. Due to his superlative professional abilities, both in aerial gunnery and pilot techniques, the extraction was a success with no damage to the unarmed aircraft. After the extraction was completed it was learned that one team member had become separated and lost. Warrant Officer Engle volunteered to remain in the area to search for the team member. Only after his fuel was critical did he leave the area. Upon arriving at Dak To Airfield, he refueled, rearmed, and volunteered to return to the area to search for the lost team member. Due to weather conditions and battle damage to some of the aircraft, he was restrained from returning. His 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.