The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 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 Staff Sergeant Joseph Stuart Stanaland (AFSN: 14919054), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, Sergeant Stanaland was the Pararescue Specialist of a HH-53C helicopter which flew three sorties spanning more than fourteen hours. Sergeant Stanaland and fellow crew members placed United States Marines aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. HOLT and then escorted a damaged aircraft to friendly territory where they recovered its contingent of United States Marines. They then delivered a contingent of United States Marines to the island despite intensive hostile fire. They remained close to the island and provided protective fire for another aircraft and escorted it to safety. Later in the day, they returned to the island and again braved heavy hostile fire to successfully remove a group of United States personnel. This courageous action aided in the recovery of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Stanaland has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
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 with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Joseph Stuart Stanaland (AFSN: 14919054), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53 Pararescue and Recovery Technician in Southeast Asia on 3 January 1971. On that date, Sergeant Stanaland flew an extremely dangerous mission in order to successfully rescue two American pilots who had been downed deep within hostile territory. Throughout the entire rescue operation, Sergeant Stanaland effectively returned fire from his exposed gun position on the ramp, and calmly relayed the hostile gun positions to the aircraft commander. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Stanaland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Joseph Stuart Stanaland (AFSN: 14919054), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53 Pararescue and Recovery Technician in Southeast Asia on 21 December 1970. On that date, Sergeant Stanaland flew an extremely hazardous mission in order to rescue two American pilots who had been downed deep within hostile territory. Sergeant Stanaland was equipped and prepared to be lowered to the ground by rescue hoist in the event the survivors were injured. Throughout the entire rescue operation Sergeant Stanaland continuously kept the aircraft commander informed of hostile ground fire positions and supplied suppressive fire coverage from his mini-gun position. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Stanaland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Silver Star
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 Staff Sergeant Joseph Stuart Stanaland (AFSN: 14919054), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 12 December 1970. On that date, Sergeant Stanaland and his fellow crewmembers voluntarily subjected themselves to great personal risk on three separate occasions in an attempt to rescue a critically injured American pilot from heavily defended hostile territory. Despite the fact that two rescue attempts had already been aborted due to intense hostile ground fire, Sergeant Stanaland, completely disregarding his own personal safety, voluntarily descended to the ground by rescue hoist and succeeded in recovering the inert pilot. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Stanaland has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Staff SergeantBatallion:
40th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand,Action Date:
February 25, 1971
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 Staff Sergeant Joseph Stuart Stanaland (AFSN: 14919054), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a HH-53 Rescue Helicopter Pararescue and Recovery Technician, 40th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, on 25 February 1971. On that date, Sergeant Stanaland flew an extremely hazardous mission deep into hostile territory in an attempt to rescue an American pilot downed by hostile fire. In spite of adverse weather conditions and the constant threat of hostile fire, Sergeant Stanaland accomplished this highly intricate and hazardous mission in support of free world forces combating aggression. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Stanaland reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Chief Master SergeantRegiment:
720th Special Tactics GroupDivision:
Air Force Special Operations CommandAction Date:
October 31, 1990 – January 31, 1996
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Chief Master Sergeant Joseph Stuart Stanaland (AFSN: 14919054), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief Enlisted Manager, 720th Special Tactics Group, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida, from 31 October 1990 to 31 January 1996. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Chief Stanaland resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Air Force’s Special Tactics force. Hand-picked by the commander to be the Special Tactics planner on the joint United States Special Operations Command-Central staff during Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM, Chief Stanaland reviewed all Special Operations Force missions and ensured appropriate Special Tactics assets were included from planning through execution. His insightful planning and in-depth understanding of joint Special Operations Force mission requirements contributed to the success of several highly classified joint missions executed by elite special mission units. As Chief Enlisted Manager, his successful management of the Special Tactics enlisted force was characterized by foresight and firm action combined with fairness that inspired respect from superiors and subordinates alike. His outstanding professional image and individual style of leadership inspired a whole generation of pararescuemen, many of who cited Chief Stanaland by name as the reason they chose to enter this extraordinarily demanding career field. A driving force in the continued successful growth and performance of Special Tactics forces worldwide, Chief Stanaland represented Air Force Special Operations Command and the Special Tactics Group at numerous conferences and workshops, to include both the combat patrol and Pararescue career field utilization and training workshops, thus influencing cradle to grave training requirements and methodologies for the future of these critical career fields. He is without question the Air Force’s premier Pararescue chief and an expert in Special Tactics issues. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Chief Stanaland culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.