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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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Stephen Lambert Bettinger (AFSN: 0-816037/0-35411), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as pilot of a P-47 type aircraft. On 17 August 1944, Lieutenant Bettinger led a formation ordered off on an armed recce of the Rhone Valley. Sighting a convoy of more than thirty armored cars, he immediately dove to the attack despite an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire. Through his courageous strafing attacks Lieutenant Bettinger destroyed two motor vehicles and damaged five armored cars as well as taking a heavy toll of casualties among enemy personnel. On 20 August 1944, Lieutenant Bettinger led a formation ordered off on an armed recce of Nice, France. On this mission after scoring a direct hit on a highway bridge he pressed home a daring strafing attack on an airfield to destroy two enemy aircraft. Flying on 102 sorties, Lieutenant Bettinger has constantly distinguished himself by his determination in pressing home attacks against the enemy. His outstanding proficiency in combat reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    July 20, 1968 – January 31, 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Stephen Lambert Bettinger (AFSN: 0-816037/0-35411), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Field Training Exercises Branch, Joint Exercises Division, Headquarters Allied Forces Central Europe, and as Special Assistant to the Commander, 25th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, from 10 July 1968 to 31 January 1973. In these important assignments the organizational ability, technical knowledge, exemplary leadership, and persistent efforts demonstrated by Colonel Bettinger were instrumental factors in the resolution of many intricate problems of major importance to the defense of the United States and Western Europe, particularly in the area of planning, implementing and supervising joint field training exercises. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Bettinger culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 16, 1953
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 14 (January 25, 1954)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Stephen Lambert Bettinger (AFSN: 0-816037/0-35411), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter Airplane of the 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 16 July 1953. On that date, Major Bettinger was on a patrol deep in North Korea when he sighted and engaged a flight of four enemy MiG-15s. Demonstrating keen flying skill and aggressiveness, he maneuvered into a favorable position behind one of the enemy aircraft, and with two bursts of gunfire sent the enemy aircraft in a dive toward the earth where it crashed and burned. At this time, Major Bettinger was struck by enemy gunfire; and he discovered that his wingman was in the midst of a withering barrage from four MiGs. Rather than secure his own safety, Major Bettinger heroically maneuvered his crippled aircraft into a firing position behind his wingman’s attackers. By this courageous action, he forced the enemy to discontinue their attack on the friendly aircraft, and the two F-86s returned safely to friendly territory. By his high gallantry in the face of the enemy and unselfish devotion to duty, Major Bettinger reflected great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    355th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    June 5, 1953
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 619 (September 11, 1953)

    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 Stephen Lambert Bettinger (AFSN: 0-816037/0-35411), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement and courage while participating in aerial flight on 5 June 1953, in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea, as pilot of an F-86 aircraft with the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. Major Bettinger was on a patrol in North Korea when he sighted a flight of four enemy MiG-15’s and promptly engaged the enemy formation in a furious aerial battle. Despite the enemy’s hard evasive action, Major Bettinger tenaciously maneuvered into a firing position behind one of the MiG’s and unleashed his deadly firing attack. Almost immediately the enemy aircraft exploded and screamed earthward in a flaming dive. Major Bettinger then diverted his attention to the other MiG’s that were swarming into the area, but when he attempted to engage them they fled back to safety across the Manchurian border. By his extreme skill, courage, and judgment, Major Bettinger destroyed an enemy MiG-15. By his extraordinary courage and devotion to duty, Major Bettinger has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    355th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    July 12, 1953
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 565 (October 22, 1953)

    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 to Major Stephen Lambert Bettinger (AFSN: 0-816037/0-35411), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement and courage while participating in aerial flight on 12 July 1953, in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea, as pilot of an F-86 aircraft with the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. Major Bettinger was on a patrol over enemy territory when he sighted and engaged two enemy MiG-15’s that were preparing to attack a flight of friendly fighter bombers. With a deadly accurate burst of fire Major Bettinger damaged one of the MiG’s from an extremely long range. The damage inflicted on his quarry enabled Major Bettinger to close to a lethal range, and two more bursts from his guns scored devastating hits in the engine section and fatally crippled the MiG. The stricken enemy aircraft went out of control and was last seen in a steep dive, streaming clouds of smoke and flame. Major Bettinger now turned to engage other MiG’s in the area, but before he could inflict further losses on the enemy he was compelled to withdraw because of fuel shortage. By his skill, courage, and judgment, Major Bettinger insured the safety of the friendly fighter bombers and destroyed an enemy MiG-15. By his extraordinary courage and devotion to duty, Major Bettinger has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    355th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Korea)

    Action Date:

    July 20, 1953 – September 6, 1953
    NARA Database: Repatriated Korean Conflict Prisoners of War, 7/5/1950 – 10/6/1954

    Major Stephen L. Bettinger (AFSN: 0-816037), United States Air Force, was captured by communist forces after he was shot down over North Korea on 20 July 1953, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 6 September 1953, during Operation Big Switch at the end of the war.