Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 15

    Division:

    U.S.S. Independence (CV-62)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Gerald Joseph Carroll, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Helicopter Second Pilot of an SH-3H helicopter in Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron FIFTEEN, embarked in U.S.S. INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) on 25 October 1983. During the early morning hours, while flying Combat Search and Rescue (SAR) during Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada, Lieutenant Commander Carroll was called upon to extract wounded personnel from a downed Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. After making a reconnaissance run near the downed aircraft, Lieutenant Commander Carroll put his helicopter down in the only place available, the surf of a cove, adjacent to the wounded personnel. After loading eleven wounded personnel and their equipment and with his crew of six, Lieutenant Commander Carroll, his aircraft in three feet of water, a 20 knot tailwind, and blades only five feet from obstruction, successfully brought all personnel and his aircraft out of this most difficult situation. By his superb airmanship, brilliant judgment, calm demeanor, and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Commander Carroll reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.