Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Lieutenant Colonel Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 12 December 1970. On that date, Colonel Dunwoody was scrambled as a Sandy Pilot in support of a downed airman deep in hostile territory. Although he lost his radio communication and was hit by hostile fire, he unceasingly attacked the hostile guns, drawing their fire upon himself and allowing the helicopter to withdraw successfully. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Dunwoody reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1980 – 1982

    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-759 (December 31, 1982)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Commander of the 554th Operations Support Wing, U.S. Air Force Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, from 1980 to 1982. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Dunwoody culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    February 26, 1971

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1830 (June 7, 1971)

    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 Lieutenant Colonel Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia, on 26 February 1971. On that date he was scrambled in support of a Search and Rescue mission in progress for two downed crewmen who had abandoned their battle damaged aircraft deep in hostile territory. By his accurate expenditure of ordnance while protecting the vulnerable rescue helicopter, Colonel Dunwoody denied the opposing forces access to the survivors and played a major role in the successful recovery of both crewmen. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Dunwoody reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    April 9, 1971

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 9 April 1971. On that date, Colonel Dunwoody was diverted from a helicopter escort mission in order to conduct a search for a downed pilot. Disregarding his own safety, Colonel Dunwoody conducted an extensive search under an extremely low ceiling, in rugged terrain, and well within range of formidable anti-aircraft defenses. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Dunwoody reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    March 5, 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 with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 5 March 1971. On that date, Colonel Dunwoody assumed command of a rescue operation to save seven airmen downed by ground fire in an extremely hostile area. In spite of battle damage to his own aircraft, he continuously exposed himself to the enemy anti-aircraft positions in order to identify, attack, and silence these guns which would prevent a successful pickup by the rescue helicopter. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Dunwoody reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    July 11, 1975 – March 10, 1980

    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 Colonel Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 823d Civil Engineering Squadron, and as Vice Commander and Commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, from 11 July 1975 to 10 March 1980. During this period, Colonel Dunwoody’s dynamic leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts provided unique special operations capability in support of the United States and the Free World. He took the gunship mission with its dated aircraft, applied modern tactics and mobility concepts, and successfully tested it under a variety of exercise and real world contingency operations. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Dunwoody reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    June 3, 1971

    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 with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 3 June 1971. On that date, Colonel Dunwoody was scrambled in support of a successful Search and Rescue mission for the crew of an aircraft which had been downed by ground fire in hostile territory. Colonel Dunwoody, with complete disregard for his own safety, willingly exposed himself to hostile ground fire on numerous tree-top intimidation passes and eventually directed the successful recovery of two crewmembers. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Dunwoody reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    April 18, 1971

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1 Tactical Fighter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 18 April 1971. On that date, Colonel Dunwoody assumed On-Scene Command of a Search and Rescue mission for a downed pilot deep in hostile territory. His expert organization and direction of all available forces before and during the critical pickup phase led to the successful rescue of the downed pilot. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Dunwoody reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Batallion:

    1st Special Operations Squadron

    Division:

    Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand,

    Action Date:

    March 13, 1971

    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 Lieutenant Colonel Richard Harold Dunwoody, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Pilot of an A-1E “Sandy” Skyraider of the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 13 March 1971. On that date, Colonel Dunwoody assumed On-Scene-Command of a rescue mission for a downed pilot. At the risk of his own life he trolled low over the hostile area to identify, locate, and strike anti-aircraft positions that would be lethal to the rescue helicopter during the pickup attempt. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Dunwoody has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.