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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 William O. Petrie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-119K Illuminator Operator in Southeast Asia on 16 February 1971. On that date, Sergeant Petrie flew an armed reconnaissance mission against heavily defended supply routes being used by hostile forces. After locating several truck convoys, moving under the cover of darkness, Sergeant Petrie’s aircraft made repeated attacks against the convoys despite very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Sergeant Petrie’s superior airmanship resulted in twenty-two trucks being destroyed and three damaged. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Petrie 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:

    November 23, 1971
    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 a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant William O. Petrie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-119K Illuminator Operator in Southeast Asia on 23 November 1971. On that date, Sergeant Petrie and his crew flew an armed reconnaissance mission against infiltration routes being used by unfriendly forces. After locating a truck convoy, moving under the cover of darkness, Sergeant Petrie’s aircraft made repeated attacks against the convoy even though his aircraft came under extremely heavy and accurate hostile fire. Sergeant Petrie’s superior airmanship resulted in several trucks being destroyed and damaged. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Petrie reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Action Date:

    February 28, 1971
    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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant William O. Petrie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-119K Illuminator Operator in Southeast Asia on 28 February 1971. On that date, Sergeant Petrie flew an armed escort mission for a friendly troop convoy operating against heavily defended supply routes being used by hostile forces. After locating eight hostile tanks, operating under the cover of darkness, Sergeant Petrie’s aircraft made repeated attacks against the tanks despite very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Sergeant Petrie’s superior airmanship resulted in the destruction of all eight hostile tanks with fifteen secondary explosions and three sustained fires. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Petrie reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.