Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Warrant Officer One (WO-1)

    Action Date:

    April 4, 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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) David B. Wonderly, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Troop B, 2d Squadron (Ambulance), 17th Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Wonderly distinguished himself on 4 April 1971 while serving as a pilot of a UH-1H lift helicopter during combat operations in Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. When a beleaguered ground unit came in contact with a numerically superior enemy force and sustained several casualties, they requested an emergency medical evacuation. In an earlier attempt, an aircraft was downed by hostile fire. Despite the increasing enemy barrage, Warrant Officer Wonderly continued his descent to attempt the extraction. Coming under intense hostile fire, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft onto the landing zone and successfully extracted the downed crew and the wounded soldiers. his actions were instrumental in saving the lives of several of his comrades. Warrant Officer Wonderly’s outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.