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.

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 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 in a light fire team of helicopter gunships in support of an allied thrust into the Se San River of Cambodia. Providing close-in support to the allied units when they were stalled by enemy fire, they placed accurate rocket fire and then escorted resupply aircraft although receiving intensive anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire. They courageously exposed their ships to draw the withering fire away from the resupply aircraft. After the successful resupply they returned to respond to the urgent needs of the highly pressed force on the ground. Their extraordinary courage, devotion to duty and calmness under fire were highly instrumental in saving a beleaguered allied unit from annihilation. 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.