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 Chief Warrant Officer (CW-2) Stephen E. Gardipee, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 28 July 1970, while serving as a Scout Pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. While performing visual air reconnaissance near Katum, he observed signs of enemy activity. A subsequent reconnaissance by fire revealed extensive bunker complexes. Helicopter gunships were then directed to the area by Warrant Officer Gardipee where their rocket fire uncovered an even larger bunker complex. With complete disregard for his personal safety Warrant Officer Gardipee flew back into the area for a closer reconnaissance. Immediately receiving intense ground to air fire he nevertheless continued to make passes over the area, resulting in severe damage to his aircraft. Despite being wounded twice in the forearm and once in the leg, Warrant Officer Gardipee continued to return fire and with the aid of his observer, managed a controlled crash landing. His professional skill and courage under fire resulted in the saving of both crew members lives. Chief Warrant Officer Gardipee’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

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) Stephen E. Gardipee, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 9 August 1969 while serving as a pilot with the Aero Scout Platoon, Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while conducting a bomb damage assessment mission, several North Vietnamese Army soldiers were spotted by a reconnaissance team. The commander decided that a small squad of riflemen should be inserted into the area to capture as many enemy as possible. Warrant Officer Gardipee volunteered to strip his light observation helicopter so that the insertion could be made in the extremely dense terrain. He quickly removed all the ship’s armament and flew his unarmed and heavily loaded ship into the contact area. As he was landing the ship received intense automatic weapons fire. He then guided the riflemen to several enemy soldiers who were attempting to escape. As a large hostile force tried to outflank the friendly force he made two trips into the hazardously small landing zone to extract all the men and prisoners safely from the area. Warrant Officer Gardipee’s courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Stephen E. Gardipee, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 31 October 1969, while serving as a pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while performing aerial reconnaissance in a light observation helicopter, he received a report that a Civilian Irregular Defense Group team had been attacked by an estimated company of North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Immediately he diverted his aircraft to the contact area where he made repeated low-level passes. At one point he monitored a call for a medical evacuation helicopter and volunteered to use is aircraft to extract the wounded soldiers. Despite intense enemy fire he landed his helicopter on a road and had the casualties loaded on board. He then guided his heavily-loaded aircraft out of the area and transferred the wounded to a medical facility. Warrant Officer Gardipee’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.