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) Dewey W. Rowe, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 5 March 1970 while serving as a helicopter pilot with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while flying the command control helicopter on a reconnaissance mission, he received a radio message informing him that a rifle company from the 1st Cavalry Division had engaged two squads of North Vietnamese soldiers. He immediately flew to the contact site and while making several low level passes, noticed the enemy were situated between a wood line and a large open field to their rear. Realizing that the open field provided a route of escape for the insurgents, Warrant Officer Rowe made many low level passes allowing his gunners to rake the field with suppressive machinegun fire. Despite his craft being taken under intense ground fire, he continued to maintain his pattern as to allow the Squadron Commander the maximum control over the situation and the approaching tank company. Observing an insurgent attempting to make an escape across the open field, he once again subjected his craft to the deadly ground fire and maneuvered to give his gunners the opportunity to stop the fleeing insurgent. When the tank company arrived, he gave the Squadron Commander full advantage of the helicopter’s altitude so he was able to control the ground forces. Warrant Officer Rowe’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.


