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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Dennis R. Grose, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 223, Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 5 March 1969, First Lieutenant Grose launched as Wingman in a flight of two A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to provide close air support for a Marine company that was under heavy volume of mortar fire from a North Vietnamese Army force occupying a fortified bunker complex in Quang Tri Province. Arriving over the designated area, he contacted the Marine Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) and was informed that the proximity of friendly and enemy positions would require precise ordnance delivery. Despite the hazardous terrain and adverse weather conditions, First lieutenant Grose immediately commenced an attack against the hostile emplacements and came under a heavy volume of enemy fire. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly maneuvered his Skyhawk through the intense hostile fire during three bombing runs, delivering his ordnance upon the North Vietnamese position with devastating effectiveness. His bold initiative and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his flight’s accounting for four enemy bunkers destroyed and four secondary fires. First Lieutenant Grose’s courage, exceptional aeronautical ability and steadfast devotion to duty in the fact of great personal danger contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    April 26, 1969
    Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.org

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Dennis R. Grose, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 223, Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 26 April 1969, First Lieutenant Grose launched as Wingman in a flight of two A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned the mission of providing close air support for elements of a United States Army unit heavily engaged in combat with a large hostile force in the northeastern sector of the A Shau Valley. Arriving over the designated area and briefed by the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) on the ground situation, he was informed that the beleaguered friendly troops were under intense enemy small arms fire and mortar attack and were in danger of being overrun. Undaunted by the haze and ground fog which severely limited visibility and the difficulties of maneuvering his aircraft over hazardous mountain terrain in the darkness on a restricted flight pattern, First Lieutenant Grose boldly commenced his air strikes. Because of the proximity of the opposing forces, he was forced to utilize a run-in heading which compelled him to attack the target perpendicular to the valley directly toward high ground and then pull off from the target using his instruments to achieve the maximum rate of climb to clear the mountains. With complete disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Grose skillfully maneuvered his aircraft on repeated bombing runs and delivered all of his ordnance upon the hostile positions with such devastating effectiveness that all enemy fire and movement in the area ceased. First Lieutenant Grose’s courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the fact of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.