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 Major Samuel M. Ursini, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Weapon Systems Officer in Southeast Asia on 3 January 1971. On that date. Major Ursini guided the F-4E Phantom in extremely marginal weather conditions to enable the successful rescue of a friendly Forward Air Controller who had been downed the day before. Ignoring hostile fire and mountainous terrain, Major Ursini directed the F-4E aircraft with such devastating accuracy that the surrounding unfriendly forces were forced to withdraw and the downed aircrew was rescued. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Ursini reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.orgThe 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 Major Samuel M. Ursini, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4E Weapon Systems Officer over Southeast Asia on 19 June 1971. On that date, despite intense ground fire, Major Ursini struck and destroyed an extremely lucrative hostile troop concentration. Making repeated, accurate ordnance deliveries over the target, he destroyed three bunkers and caused over forty secondary explosions, thus severely crippling the opposing ground force’s offensive capability. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Ursini reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.