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 Technical Sergeant Aron P. Hodges, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Helicopter Flight Mechanic of a CH-53C helicopter in Southeast Asia on 20 January 1973. On that date, Sergeant Hodges flew in a formation of seven CH-53C helicopters assigned to airlift a large contingent of allied soldiers to a vital route junction deep into territory long held by hostile forces. Despite automatic weapons and small arms fire directed at his aircraft from both sides of the run into and final approach to the landing area, Sergeant Hodges remained at his exposed position giving accurate approach instructions to the pilots and calling out ground fire. Sergeant Hodges’ willing disregard for his own safety aided the insertion of the allied forces and insured the initiation of a new offensive in a vital area. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Technical Sergeant Hodges reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 with Combat “V” to Technical Sergeant Aron P. Hodges, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Flight Mechanic of a CH-53C helicopter in Southeast Asia on 19 October 1972. On that date, Sergeant Hodges was on a mission to move a large contingent of allied soldiers to a tactical objective held by hostile forces. Despite intense and accurate anti-aircraft, small arms and automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft from all sides of the landing zone, Sergeant Hodges remained at his exposed position giving accurate approach instructions to the pilots and calling out the direction of ground fire. Although their aircraft sustained numerous hits from the heavy hostile fire, Sergeant Hodges and his crew aided the insertion of reinforcements into the landing zone, thus ensuring the survival of a beleaguered allied force and initiating a new offensive in a vital area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Hodges reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 Aron P. Hodges, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53B/C Flight Engineer, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, on 2 October 1969. On that date, Sergeant Hodges participated in the rescue of an American Airman downed deep in hostile territory. His expert directions and skillful operation of the rescue hoist during the recovery resulted in the safe and rapid rescue of the airman with a minimum exposure of the rescue aircraft to hostile fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Hodges reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.