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 Hershel E. Fannin, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Flight Mechanic of a CH-53C helicopter in Southeast Asia on 19 October 1972. On that date, Sergeant Fannin was in a formation assigned to airlift a contingent of allied soldiers deep into hostile territory to a tactical objective long held by hostile forces. Despite heavy antiaircraft, small arms, and automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft from all sides of the contested landing zone, Sergeant Fannin remained at his exposed position giving accurate approach instructions to the pilots and calling out ground fire. Although his aircraft sustained numerous hits from the heavy hostile fire, Sergeant Fannin willingly disregarded the safety of his own life to ensure the survival of a beleaguered allied force and to aid the initiation of a new offensive in a vital area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Fannin reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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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
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 Hershel E. Fannin, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Helicopter Flight Mechanic of a CH-53C helicopter in Southeast Asia on 20 January 1973. On that date, Sergeant Fannin flew in a formation of seven CH-53C helicopters assigned to airlift a large contingent of allied soldiers to a vital route junction deep into territory long held by hostile forces. Despite automatic weapons and small arms fire directed at his aircraft from both sides on the run into and final approach to the landing area, Sergeant Fannin remained at his exposed position giving accurate approach instructions to the pilots and calling out groundfire. Sergeant Fannin’s willing disregard for his own safety aided the insertion of the allied force and insured the initiation of a new offensive in a vital area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Fannin reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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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 Hershel E. Fannin, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 26 August 1972. On that date, Staff Sergeant Fannin, a Flight Engineer on an HH-53C rescue helicopter, with full knowledge that a previous recovery attempt had been met with intense automatic weapons fire, courageously volunteered to attempt the rescue mission for a downed American airman. Although his aircraft was being riddled by bullets as it hovered within meters of the North Vietnamese gunners, he stood in the open and unprotected crew entry door while operating the rescue hoist to raise the downed airman to safety. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Fannin has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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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 to Staff Sergeant Hershel E. Fannin, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Helicopter Flight Mechanic of a CH-53C helicopter in Southeast Asia on 24 October 1972. On that date, Sergeant Fannin flew in a formation of six helicopters carrying allied soldiers mounting an offensive to regain valuable territory captured by a hostile force. Despite the proximity and threat of enemy small arms fire and mobile antiaircraft weapons, Sergeant Fannin made repeated landings in the landing zone to off-load his troops thus making possible the success of the allied offensive. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Fannin reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.