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 Staff Sergeant Earl Eugene Chambers (AFSN: AF-18631752), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Flight Engineer of an HH-3E Rescue Helicopter in Southeast Asia on 8 May 1967. On that date, Sergeant Chambers flew into an extremely hostile area in an attempt to recover survivors of a downed helicopter. He continued the rescue attempt until highly accurate and sustained small arms fire wounded a crew member and damaged his aircraft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Chambers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 to Staff Sergeant Earl Eugene Chambers (AFSN: AF-18631752), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Flight Engineer in the Demilitarized Zone of North Vietnam on 16 May 1967. On that date, Sergeant Chambers entered an intensely hostile area and braved automatic weapons fire in attempting to rescue two downed American pilots. Although forced to withdraw after hostile fire disabled one of the aircraft’s engines, Sergeant Chambers’ efforts paved the way for a later successful rescue operation by another helicopter. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Chambers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Earl Eugene Chambers (AFSN: AF-18631752), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Helicopter Flight Mechanic within the Demilitarized Zone of North Vietnam on 6 October 1966. On that date, Staff Sergeant Chambers was flying on a rescue mission to attempt the recovery of two American pilots, when his aircraft sustained a hit by an explosive projectile in the fuselage. Flying evasive tactics to avoid additional hits by heavy hostile ground fire, he remained in the search area to provide immediate rescue capability until the mission was terminated. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Chambers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.