(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel David Kennedy, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” (Posthumously) for gallantry in action during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. While flying in Iraq in 2003, the uncommon gallantry of Colonel Kennedy saved the lives of many Marines while they were heavily engaged in a violent firefight in downtown Baghdad. Colonel Kennedy was given an urgent directive by the Marine battlefield controller to provide emergency close air support for the hard pressed Marines in the city, one of whom had been killed and 42 wounded. Colonel Kennedy volunteered to go into the heart of the intense ground fire and to the direct and immediate aid of the pinned down Marines. Colonel Kennedy contacted the Marine ground controller, who informed the fighters of the tactical situation. The Marines were being furiously attacked by machine guns and rocket propelled grenades, and were unable to evacuate their wounded. Colonel Kennedy, with total disregard for his personal safety, rolled in multiple times amid the enemy anti-aircraft and small arms fire to prosecute attacks on the enemy with his thirty millimeter cannon. The resulting destruction of the enemy threat, through the selfless act of Colonel Kennedy, broke the back of the enemy and saved the lives of many Marines.