The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Jerry M. Griggs (AFSN: 0-3081409), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an HH-3E in Southeast Asia on 16 January 1967. On that date, Captain Griggs was scrambled to attempt the extraction of a Special Forces Team which was completely surrounded by hostile forces. Despite extremely hazardous weather conditions and mountainous terrain, Captain Griggs defied continuous hostile fire to recover eight members of the team. The eight personnel recovered under combat conditions by Captain Griggs represent the highest total ever achieved in a single rescue by an HH-3E helicopter. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Griggs reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Jerry M. Griggs (AFSN: 0-3081409), United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
February 27, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1382 (May 8, 1968)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 Major Jerry M. Griggs (AFSN: 0-3081409), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander northwest of Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam on 27 February 1968. On that date, Captain Griggs was scrambled to attempt the rescue of two downed United States Navy crew members from an extremely hostile area. After avoiding hostile weapons positions, Captain Griggs twice established and maintained a hover in full view of a hostile village. Because of the extremely rough terrain, Captain Griggs was required to maintain a prolonged hover before the two men could be rescued. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Griggs reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
March 18, 1968
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 Major Jerry M. Griggs (AFSN: 0-3081409), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E in Southeast Asia on 18 March 1968. On that date, Captain Griggs penetrated an extremely hostile area to search for the crew of a United States Air Force fighter aircraft which had been shot down. Captain Griggs accomplished a sustained low altitude low speed search in the same extremely hostile environment which had downed the fighter until opposing ground fire rendered the search position untenable. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Griggs reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
March 30, 1968
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-147 (March 24, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major Jerry M. Griggs (AFSN: 3081409), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E helicopter of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 30 March 1968. On that date, Major Griggs flew over hostile territory in low overcast weather to reach the survivors from six American helicopters which had been shot down by hostile fire. After his aircraft received substantial battle damage from intense opposing ground fire, Major Griggs, with undaunted determination, indomitable courage, and professional skill, persisted in the rescue attempt until he rescued four survivors, although he sustained further battle damage from the intense hostile ground fire. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Griggs reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
March 30, 1968
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2998 (July 25, 1969)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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Jerry M. Griggs (AFSN: 3081409), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E helicopter of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia, on 20 October 1968. On that date, Captain Griggs voluntarily penetrated one of the most heavily defended areas of North Vietnam to successfully effect the rescue of two downed pilots who were the subject of an intense artillery barrage. He established his aircraft as a decoy to draw fire away from them and for almost one hour, his aircraft was the object of heavy artillery fire. When a smoke screen was placed between the survivors and the hostile forces, he unhesitatingly brought his aircraft to a motionless hover over the two pilots and in the center of impacting ordnance recovered both men and safely exited the area. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Griggs has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
June 9, 1968
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order G-286 (November 27, 1968)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Jerry M. Griggs (AFSN: 0-3081409), United States Air Force, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E helicopter of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 9 June 1968. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Griggs has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.