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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 Staff Sergeant Kenneth C. Felty, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Illuminator Operator over Southeast Asia on 21 January 1972. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission, his actions led to the damage or destruction of 14 hostile supply vehicles and the ignition of nine secondary fires and explosions. Putting aside his concern for personal safety in the face of 378 rounds of hostile antiaircraft fire, he succeeded in destroying large amounts of supplies and munitions destined for use against friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Felty 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:

    April 23, 1972
    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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Kenneth C. Felty, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Illuminator Operator over South Vietnam on 23 April 1972. On that date, while on a night aerial fire support mission over a friendly ground position, his actions enabled the friendly ground position to successfully halt and repel the superior-sized hostile force’s advancement upon their position. He displayed extraordinary airmanship in continually pressing the attack by applying an uninterrupted rain of accurate ordnance against the hostile force while coping with the constant threat imposed by accurate antiaircraft fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Felty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.