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 Captain Larry D. Seals, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. These men distinguished themselves by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as copilot/gunners aboard aircraft in heavy fire team of helicopter gunships on a search and rescue operation in an enemy occupied area. Two United States Air Force pilots had bailed out over known enemy positions after their aircraft was disabled by enemy anti-aircraft weapons fire. Disregarding intermittent enemy anti-aircraft and small arms fire, they placed accurate and effective suppressive fire on the enemy positions while their pilots flew at low level in order to locate the downed airmen. Through their intense retaliatory fire on the enemy, they allowed the pilots to safely conduct the search while in range of enemy fire. When the rescue aircraft arrived on station, they acted with complete disregard for their own personal safety by exposing themselves to enemy fire while providing protective counterfire which enabled the rescue operation to be successfully completed without any allied casualties. Displaying undaunted personal courage and undying devotion to duty, they were highly instrumental in the success of the mission. Their actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon themselves, their unit and the United Sates Army.

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 Captain Larry D. Seals, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Seals distinguished himself as pilot of the wing ship in a heavy fire team of helicopter gunships during an emergency extraction of a six man reconnaissance element. The team had split with its unit and had not been heard from for 36 hours. Given the approximate location of the stranded men, Captain Seals departed for the area which was a small valley with high ridge lines on both sides obscured by clouds which were 300 feet above ground level. Following the lead aircraft into the area, Captain Seals provided protection and also acted as an observer searching for the location of the six men. As the area was a suspected enemy regimental base camp, protective support was a necessity for the security of the force. When the four man element was located and successfully extracted, Captain Seals escorted them out of the valley and then voluntarily returned to the valley to join the search for the last two team members. When the fifth man was located, Captain Seals again escorted the lift aircraft from the valley and provided gun coverage as he set down in an insecure area to take the man aboard before skillfully departing under total instrument flying conditions. Captain Seals’ courageous and highly professional airmanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Larry D. Seals, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. These men distinguished themselves by exceptionally valorous actions while flying helicopter gunships in support of an allied reconnaissance element. Although the target of intense enemy fire, they continued to lay down suppressive fire on the enemy positions and boldly continued their attacks in an attempt to suppress the hostile fire. During a medevac mission on the following day for the same scouting team, these men braved a hail of enemy small arms and anti-aircraft fire as they courageously remained on station. When the lead ship of the primary team was shot down, these men quickly flew in to cover the downed crew and lay down protective fire until the crew was recovered. On the final day of the operation, these men unleashed a devastating barrage of suppressive fire upon the enemy emplacements, thereby enabling the lift ships to extract the reconnaissance tea. As the last rescue ship left the landing zone with fifty passengers aboard, a sudden burst of hostile fire forced it down. These men provided valuable protection as another rescue ship extracted the crew of the downed helicopter. Their heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon themselves, their unit and the United Sates Army.