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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 with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Roy B. Bagwell, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53 aerial Photographer in Southeast Asia on 12 December 1970. On that date, Sergeant Bagwell flew an extremely hazardous mission on which an American pilot downed deep within hostile territory was successfully recovered. Although constantly exposed to intense and accurate ground fire, Sergeant Bagwell silhouetted himself in the open doorway of the helicopter in order to take motion pictures of the entire recovery mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bagwell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Action Date:

    December 13, 1970
    Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.org

    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 with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Roy B. Bagwell, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53 Aerial Photographer in Southeast Asia on 13 December 1970. On that date, Sergeant Bagwell flew an extremely hazardous mission deep into hostile territory and assisted in the rescue of two American pilots. Sergeant Bagwell exposed himself in the open doorway of the helicopter, in order to record by motion picture the entire rescue mission. Although the aircraft was taking direct hits from hostile ground forces at extremely close range, Sergeant Bagwell fully extended himself from the doorway on two separate occasions to assist the flight engineer in pulling the survivors to safety. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Bagwell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.