Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    20th Helicopter Squadron

    Action Date:

    October 23, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Michael R. Armstrong (AFSN: FR-3072147), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a UH-1F Pilot near Plei Djereng, Republic of Vietnam on 23 October 1967. On that date, Captain Armstrong was number two in a flight of two armed helicopters that responded to a call for help from a reconnaissance team that was trapped by a large unfriendly force. When he arrived at the team’s position, he learned that they were pinned down and unable to move. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Armstrong began making tree-top level firing passes through a concentration of automatic and small arms fire. On subsequent passes, he placed ordnance to within thirty meters of the beleaguered team in a successful attempt to break the attack. After fighter aircraft had expended their ordnance on the unfriendly position, Captain Armstrong again flew low level to escort an unarmed helicopter that extracted the team. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Armstrong has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    20th Helicopter Squadron

    Action Date:

    October 13, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-604 (February 24, 1968)

    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 Captain Michael R. Armstrong (AFSN: FR-3072147), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F helicopter pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 October 1967. On that date, Captain Armstrong was scrambled as number two in a flight of two armed helicopters to provide gunship cover for seven unarmed helicopters which were to extract a large force of American and friendly allies who were surrounded by hostile forces. Although one Army gunship had been moderately damaged just prior to his arrival at the scene, Captain Armstrong, without hesitation, flew his gunship on several low-level rocket and gun passes in an attempt to break the attack. He maintained his low-level protective orbit for approximately forty-five minutes while the party moved to a more suitable landing zone. Subsequently, he jettisoned his remaining ammunition and made an approach to the landing zone, unarmed, to pick up the remaining members of the assault party when three of the extraction helicopters ran low on fuel and had to return to friendly territory for re-servicing. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Armstrong reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.