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) Alfred E. Santoro, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 24 December 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 assigned to conduct a dawn visual reconnaissance near the Cambodian border and noted enemy bunkers and fighting positions. After hovering in at a lower altitude, Warrant Officer Santoro found a company sized enemy force in the dense jungle and he came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Immediately, he marked the insurgent position with smoke for approaching gunships. Airstrikes and gunships raked the enemy positions. Through his 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) Alfred E. Santoro, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 1 February 1970 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 visual reconnaissance mission over an enemy occupied valley, Warrant Officer Santoro came under ground to air fire from an unknown sized enemy force. Warrant Officer Santoro marked the enemy positions with smoke grenades while the ground forces moved into the area. He remained in the area marking positions and directing artillery fire until a call was monitored for medical evacuation. A medical ship arrived and picked up the men but was unable to pick up a third critically wounded man. Warrant Officer Santoro volunteered to make the pickup with his light observation helicopter. Even though the man was in the forward contact area and the landing zone was in dense terrain, Warrant Officer Santoro hovered above the trees and then descended vertically into the small landing zone. It was leaving the ship defenseless against the hostile fire. Warrant Officer Santoro then expertly made a vertical takeoff and flew the wounded man to a medical facility. Warrant Officer One Santoro’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.