Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Helicopter Squadron 1

    Division:

    U.S.S. Saint Paul (CA-73)

    Action Date:

    March 31, 1951

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Earl R. Bergsma, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a helicopter in Helicopter Squadron ONE, Detachment ELEVEN, temporarily attached to the U.S.S. SAINT PAUL (CA-73). On 31 March 1951, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bergsma, flying in company with two other Navy helicopters, proceeded on a hazardous rescue mission to assist in evacuating a group of U.S. Army and South Korean soldiers, who were stranded on a saw toothed mountain ridge some forty miles south of Wonsan, Korea. At the evacuation point, he twice attempted to hover his plane over the rescue area. On the first attempt he was driven off by machine gun fire and on the second try strong gusty winds prevented his hovering effectively. He made a third approach and was able to hoist two American soldiers aboard. By his superb airmanship, determination, and daring perseverance in pressing home three attempts to hover his plane in the face of extremely rough terrain, tall trees, gusty winds, and enemy small arms and machine gun fire, he was responsible for the successful rescue of two stranded American soldiers. His daring perseverance and devotion to duty throughout reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.