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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Horace F. Morton (ASN: W-3161431), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 18 March 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date when he spotted an enemy antiaircraft emplacement during a reconnaissance operation, Warrant Officer Morton quickly engaged the position with his minigun and destroyed it and its occupants. Upon encountering more hostile fire from another nearby emplacement, he quickly located the position and eliminated it with another burst from his minigun. As he continued his reconnaissance, Warrant Officer Morton soon observed several more enemy fortifications. Disregarding the intense hostile fire directed at his aircraft, he moved in on them and marked them with smoke grenades for helicopter gunship assaults and tactical airstrikes. When friendly armored elements in the area began receiving antitank rocket fire, Warrant Officer Morton quickly pinpointed the source of the fire and silenced the emplacement with his minigun. His heroic actions were directly responsible for the killing of ten hostile soldiers, and his adjustment of supporting fire resulted in fifteen enemy troops killed and twenty-five enemy bunkers destroyed. Warrant Officer Morton’s courage and skillful and aggressive air support 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) Horace F. Morton (ASN: W-3161431), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 4 April 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while flying in support of several friendly ground elements, he spotted a well-camouflaged enemy base camp. As he was directing the friendly tanks and armored cavalry assault vehicles into the enemy area, Warrant Officer Morton observed approximately thirty hostile troops attempting to evade the assaulting friendly force. Disregarding the intense automatic weapons fire which the enemy began directing toward his aircraft, he quickly engaged the fleeing hostile soldiers with his minigun and killed two and forced the other to seek cover. Then while keeping the enemy troops pinned down with accurate minigun and rifle fire, Warrant Officer Morton directed an armored element into position to block and neutralize the fleeing hostile soldiers. His heroic actions resulted in five enemy killed and contributed to the decisive defeat of the enemy force. Warrant Officer Morton’s outstanding courage and skillful and aggressive leadership 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) Horace F. Morton (ASN: W-3161431), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 20 November 1968 while serving as a pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date when the Tactical Operations Center of the regiment suddenly came under an intense antitank grenade and mortar attack, five friendly soldiers were critically wounded in the early moments of the fierce engagement. Upon hearing a request for a medical evacuation helicopter, Warrant Officer Morton immediately dashed to his aircraft and flew to the besieged base. Although the friendly base was in a completely blacked out condition and was still under an intense grenade and mortar attack and the defensive perimeter and been breached at several points, he lands his aircraft, picked up the wounded personnel and successfully flew them to an evacuation hospital. In spite of the extreme danger, he returned to the friendly base and successfully evacuated the remaining casualties. Warrant Officer Morton’s courage and concern for the lives and welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.