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 Captain William Roger Povilus (AFSN: FR-70235), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-1 Birddog of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Khe Sanh Air Base, South Vietnam, in action over Southeast Asia from 29 December 1966 to 10 February 1967. During this period, Captain Povilus directed fighter aircraft against numerous gun emplacements including 37-mm. and quad 50-caliber positions. Despite intense automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, he repeatedly marked the gun positions and skillfully controlled the fighters onto the target. Demonstrating great professional skill and complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Povilus was directly responsible for the destruction of twenty-eight gun positions including ten 37-mm. guns. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Povilus reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 10, 1988 – June 30, 1989
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel William Roger Povilus (AFSN: FR-70235), United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as Director, Personnel Directorate, United States Central Command, from 10 June 1988 to 30 June 1989. During this period, Colonel Povilus’ initiative, superior leadership, and unified command experience were the keystones to the successful development of a full spectrum of mission enhancing policies and initiatives. His decisive guidance was instrumental in the resolution of time sensitive personnel issues in support of the 16,000-man Joint Task Force Middle East as well as the formulation of ground breaking joint manpower policy. As the Central Command’s personnel expert, Colonel Povilus drafted the Command’s response to the Department of Defense directed Vander Schaff manpower reductions, skillfully orchestrated the Command’s fiscal year 90-94 Joint Manpower Program, and provided highly sought-after technical advice to the DOD/JCS Joint Manpower Requirements Study Group. His efforts over the past twelve months resulted in a marked increase in the quality of personnel assigned to the United States Central Command, significant improvement in the Command’s safety program, enhancements in the awards and fitness reports procedures, and a host of other service member-oriented initiatives. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Povilus reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Khe Sanh Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
December 9 – 11, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-301 (February 25, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant William Roger Povilus (AFSN: FR-70235), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-1 Birddog of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Khe Sanh Air Base, South Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia from 9 December 1966 to 11 December 1966. During that period, Lieutenant Povilus directed fighter aircraft in the support of an eighty man reconnaissance team that was successfully infiltrated and exfiltrated in a very hostile area. Many times Lieutenant Povilus in his unarmed light aircraft flew through tracer-filled skies at low altitude to locate both the friendly and hostile positions. Through expert airmanship and daring he was able to locate a portion of the team that had gotten separated and lost in the dense jungle and rugged terrain. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Povilus has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 1, 1980 – May 31, 1983
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel William Roger Povilus (AFSN: FR-70235), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief and Chief, Programs Division, Directorate of Manpower and Organization, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, District of Columbia, from 1 August 1980 to 31 May 1983. During this period, Colonel Povilus’ outstanding professionalism, exemplary dedication and inspired leadership was directly responsible for several vital improvements in manpower management procedures and significant advances in the Air Force manpower posture. His superb management of the Air Force’s critical manpower resources resulted in improved readiness and combat capability for the Air Force and a major strengthening of the nation’s defense. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Povilus and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 11, 1983 – May 17, 1988
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel William Roger Povilus (AFSN: FR-70235), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters Alaskan Air Command; Vice Commander and Commander, 21st Tactical Fighter Wing; and as Vice Commander, Alaskan Air Command, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, from 11 July 1983 to 17 May 1988. During this period, Colonel Povilus’ innovative leadership, persistent drive, and uncompromising dedication significantly heightened the combat capabilities of the Alaskan Air Command and the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing. Award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, an “excellent” Operational Readiness Inspection rating, and the turnaround of one of the worst aircraft accident rates in the Air Force into an accident-free record highlight some of his most poignant achievements in the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing. Award of the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, two successful North American Aerospace Defense Regional Evaluations — one “excellent” and the second an unprecedented “outstanding,” and the most successful organohafnium and maintenance facilities program in Alaskan Air Command history typify his many contributions to the major air command. His landmark prodigious leadership achievements and landmark financial and programmatic decisions dramatically improved the combat readiness of Alaskan Air Command weapons systems and greatly enhanced the morale of Alaskan Air Command personnel and their families. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Povilus and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Khe Sanh Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
June 7, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1327 (August 24, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain William Roger Povilus (AFSN: FR-70235), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-1 Birddog of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Khe Sanh Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 7 June 1967. On that date, Captain Povilus, on a visual reconnaissance mission, observed several groups of hostile troops in bunker positions, and called for gunships. He then went in at a very low altitude to mark the target. In marking the target he scored a direct hit on one of the hostile bunkers killing two hostile troops. During the attack, Captain Povilus sustained numerous hits on his aircraft also being wounded himself. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Povilus has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.