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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Stephen Moushegian, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 17 August 1969 while serving as a scout pilot with the Aero Rifle Platoon, Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while flying on an aerial reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Moushegian spotted two heavy machine gun positions and several enemy soldiers running toward them. He immediately engaged the enemy with automatic weapons fire, preventing enemy occupation of the antiaircraft positions. With his craft hovering over the area, he then initiated a hail of grenades and firepower which destroyed the positions. He remained in the area, coordinating artillery strikes and engaging targets of opportunity. During this activity his aircraft was engaged by another heavy machine gun position. Despite the enemy fire ripping through his aircraft, he flew directly toward the enemy position and initiated a deadly fusillade which silenced it. He continued to make passes over the area until a fire broke out in his aircraft and he was forced to make an emergency landing. After landing he extinguished the fire and set up security around the aircraft until relief forces were able to reach him. His quick reactions and courageous actions resulted in the destruction of an enemy bunker and tunnel complex, as well as the machine gun positions and thirty-one enemy dead. L First Lieutenant Moushegian’s courage, devotion to duty and exceptional flying ability 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 Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Stephen Moushegian, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 5 September 1969 while serving as a pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he was performing a low level reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Loc Ninh. He spotted enemy movement and maneuvered his aircraft to treetop level to determine the nature of the activity below. Suddenly his helicopter came under intense small arms fire, but he took evasive action and broke safely from the area. Then disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Moushegian again approached the area to mark the enemy positions with smoke grenades. Again the aircraft came under intense fire wounding him seriously and causing considerable damage to the helicopter. Nevertheless, he piloted the aircraft from the immediate area of contact. Though forced to turn the controls over to the non-pilot observer, Warrant Officer Moushegian provided directions which enabled the observer to fly the aircraft safely to base of operations. First Lieutenant Moushegian’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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Stephen Moushegian, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 15 July 1969 while serving as an aerial scout pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while on a visual reconnaissance mission Lieutenant Moushegian received a radio message indicating contact with a company of enemy troops. He immediately flew to the area of contact and made several low level low speed reconnaissance flights over the area, relaying a continual flow of valuable information to the ground commander. Despite the intense enemy automatic weapons fire directed at this aircraft, he volunteered to fly over the enemy positions to mark targets, although his own aircraft had already sustained numerous hits. After directing the Air Force fighter bombers in their strafing and bombing runs, he again flew over the area, making bomb damage assessments and marking additional targets for the helicopter gunships. First Lieutenant Moushegian’s devotion to duty and courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.