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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 (Field Artillery) Jerry W. Thurman (ASN: 0-5426997), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 15 April 1969 while serving as an aircraft commander with the Air Section of the 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while returning to a fire support base he observed a red smoke grenade explode near the old wreckage of a helicopter. Thinking that possibly friendly element needed assistance, Captain Thurman flew over the area and suddenly began receiving intense heavy machine gun fire. Although his aircraft was hit several times he managed to maneuver out of the range of the enemy fire before the helicopter sustained serious damage. He then notified his headquarters that he had located an enemy base camp and said that he would remain in the area to direct artillery strikes. His squadron commander advised him against remaining in the area because no assistance would be available if he had trouble. Nevertheless, he returned to the area and adjusted artillery strikes on the enemy positions while under almost continuous hostile fire. When the enemy emplacements had been silenced and he had made several low level passes over the area without incident, he returned to his base of operations. A sweep of the area following morning revealed a large cache of enemy crew served weapons, ammunition and other supplies. Captain Thurman’s courage, alertness and determination were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    2d Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    February 27, 1969
    Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1422 (June 8, 1969), Amended by G.0. 1616 (1969)

    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 First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Jerry W. Thurman (ASN: 0-5426997), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 27 February 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while he was investigating a group of suspicious individuals, his aircraft suddenly began receiving intense enemy small arms fire. Disregarding his own safety, he continued flying over the area until his gunner had expended all his machine gun ammunition on the hostile positions and had killed three of the enemy. Lieutenant Thurman continued making passes over the area so that his gunner could keep the enemy soldiers pinned down with pistol fire until friendly reinforcements arrived. After flying to his base of operations to rearm and refuel, Lieutenant Thurman returned to the scene of the contact. Upon observing several hostile troops attempting to evade him, he pursued the group and forced one out into the open, where he was captured by friendly ground troops. As a result of his persistence and skillful flying, five enemy soldiers were killed and two were captured, but no friendly casualties were sustained. First Lieutenant Thurman’s courage and quick thinking under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    2d Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    December 30, 1968
    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1857 (May 23, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Jerry Wallace Thurman (ASN: 0-5426997), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. First Lieutenant Thurman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 December 1968 while serving as a helicopter commander on a visual reconnaissance mission. Between Lai Khe and Tan Binh, a Viet Cong soldier was seen hiding in a stream and was killed. Lieutenant Thurman banked his ship and engaged several more Viet Cong spotted at the same site. Although he was advised that there was an estimated forty Viet Cong in the area, he landed to capture prisoners who might provide valuable intelligence information. He and the crew chief armed with pistols and the door gunner with a rifle advanced upon the dead Viet Cong. Moments after Lieutenant Thurman shot and killed a Viet Cong hidden in a stream, he and his two companions came under intense fire from other concealed communists. Lieutenant Thurman signaled to his co-pilot to take off in the helicopter so it would not be hit by enemy rounds. The three men then advanced, securing two wounded Viet Cong and killing two more who jumped out of the water. Receiving fire from a sniper in a tree, Lieutenant Thurman crawled under the tree and killed him. After four infantrymen arrived to give assistance, he maneuvered forward with one of the men, but a Viet Cong sprang from his hiding place and mortally wounded the infantryman. Lieutenant Thurman quickly engaged and killed the aggressor, only to come under attack from another enemy soldier located on higher ground. Realizing it was useless to proceed alone, he returned to his comrades and established a secure position. When more reinforcements arrived, he and his crew returned to their ship from which they continued to provide covering fire and aerial observation for the ground troops. During the ensuing battle, they landed twice to evacuate casualties. Lieutenant Thurman’s extraordinary heroism 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.