Our Mission and Purpose
A citation records the achievement. A story
preserves its meaning.
The Distinguished Flying Cross is presented for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. The DFC Society connects recipients and families, safeguards firsthand accounts and shares the lessons of their service
"Every Distinguished Flying Cross
has a story. We make sure it is
never forgotten."
This Giving Tuesday, help preserve the stories behind
the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Behind every Distinguished Flying Cross is a story of courage, skill and judgment. Some unfolded in combat, others during rescues or extraordinary achievements in flight. Each is part of our nation’s history.
Your gift helps the Distinguished Flying Cross Society honor recipients, connect generations and preserve these experiences through our Honor Roll, efforts to record recipients’ stories, a developing museum pilot project and outreach to new recipients.
These stories connect aircrews, families and communities. They offer lessons that future generations deserve the chance to hear.
Behind every medal is a story that must never be forgotten. If we don’t preserve it, who will?
Stories of exceptional courage, dedication, and airmanship deserve to be preserved. Captain KC Campbell’s and Major Ferris Buer's actions offer enduring lessons in leadership, sound judgment, and service to others—lessons that can inspire today’s leaders and future generations
Captain Kim "KC" Campbell
On April 7, 2003, Captain Kim “KC” Campbell was diverted to support soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division advancing toward the North Baghdad Bridge. Enemy forces within 400 meters had stopped their progress.
Flying her A-10, Campbell delivered high-explosive rockets that struck the enemy position and silenced the opposition. As she pulled away, a surface-to-air missile struck her aircraft’s tail, causing severe damage.
With her hydraulic systems disabled, she switched to emergency manual flight controls. Through exceptional airmanship and coolness under pressure, she flew the damaged A-10 back to Kuwait and landed safely.
For her heroism, Campbell received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
KC Campbell retired as a Colonel in the Air Force and is an award winning author and nationally recognized speaker.
Her story serves to inspire future generations of leaders.
Major Eric “Ferris” Buer
On March 30, 2003, near An Nasiriyah, Iraq, Marines on the ground needed close air support. Then-Major Eric “Ferris” Buer, USMC, led a flight of AH-1W SuperCobras against enemy positions while directing AV-8B Harriers and A-10s in support of those Marines.
Under anti-aircraft fire, his flight destroyed mortar and sniper positions, repeatedly delivering ordnance within 300 meters of friendly troops. His courage, leadership, and judgment under pressure earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Buer later retired as a colonel. Today, he is an author, consultant, public speaker, and Distinguished Flying Cross Society board member. Through his writing and speaking, he shares perspectives shaped by his experience in military aviation and combat leadership.
His story reminds us that the Distinguished Flying Cross represents more than an individual achievement. Behind the medal are people, decisions, and experiences that carry lasting lessons for future generations.
Lonnie Mixon: A Commitment to Bringing Others Home
Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Lonnie Mixon flew combat search-and-rescue missions in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force’s 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron.
He earned his first Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing eight sailors from a grounded freighter during a severe Lake Huron winter storm in 1966.
On July 2, 1968, Mixon attempted to rescue an injured pilot in North Vietnam. After withdrawing to refuel, he proceeded without escort to another crash site over active enemy anti-aircraft positions. He arrived ready to rescue survivors, but there were none. His heroism earned his second DFC.
His story reflects the courage and commitment of rescue crews in peace and war.
Alex Pelbath: The Last Flight Out of Kabul
As the United States completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, Colonel Alex Pelbath, USAF carried a critical responsibility: serve as air mission commander for the final five C-17s departing Kabul.
A Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, Pelbath piloted the last aircraft to leave. That departure marked the end of a conflict that had spanned nearly his entire Air Force career. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2001, just months before the September 11 attacks.
Behind that final flight were extensive planning, close coordination and the efforts of aircrews and ground forces working together to bring the remaining personnel home.
Pelbath’s story reminds us that an award citation can capture only part of an experience. The decisions, responsibilities and personal memories behind a mission help us understand what service demanded of those who were there.
The Distinguished Flying Cross Society works to preserve these stories so future generations can learn from the people who lived them.
Behind every medal is a story that must never be forgotten.
An Overdue Distinction for a Korean War Flying Ace
A new law allows Royce Williams, 100, to receive the medal of honor. Trump should follow up quickly.
On December 22, the Wall Street Journal published an article about retired Navy Captain Royce Willams who will soon receive the Medal of Honor:
"Buried in a recent 3,000-page defense policy bill is good news that won’t receive enough attention. The legislation would allow a living legend of naval aviation to receive the nation’s highest military honor. A Defense Department video called 100-year-old Royce Williams the “forgotten fighter ace of the Korean war.” His valor is worth remembering on its merits, and the history is instructive about the threats now facing the U.S. President Trump should move quickly to award Capt. Williams the medal of honor."
Task & Purpose published the following article that provides background about the actions leading to the final decision to award Captain Williams the Medal of Honor:
Published Dec 8, 2025 3:52 PM EST
Legendary Navy aviator Royce Williams, who shot down four Soviet MiG-15 fighters in 1952, is the inspiration for legislation that would make it easier for troops and veterans to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Photos via the U.S. Naval Institute and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
More than 70 years after he took part in the longest dogfight in Navy history, scoring four aerial victories, Royce Williams might finally get the Medal of Honor.
Over the weekend, Congress released the text for the compromise National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy bill outlining spending plans and goals. This year, it is a record $901 billion. Nestled into the large defense appropriations bill is Sec. 591, which would upgrade Williams’ Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor for “acts of valor during the Korean War.”
Those acts involve taking on seven Soviet MiG-15s in a 35-minute dogfight almost singlehandedly, in a battle that was kept under wraps for years despite Williams’ achievements.
On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams — then a Navy lieutenant flying in his Grumman F9F-5 Panther for his second mission that day — was with three other aviators over the Sea of Japan when seven Soviet Air Force fighter planes emerged. Two of the American planes had to return to their ships due to mechanical issues, leaving just Williams and his wingman in the skies as the Soviets closed in. As they flew by, Williams let out a burst of his F9F’s guns, scoring a hit. One MiG went down, with Williams’ wingman breaking off to chase it. Royce Williams was now alone, against six Soviet pilots in jets that were more advanced than his.
Over the course of 35 minutes, Williams banked and weaved his Panther, trying to avoid getting in the MiGs’ sights. He quickly downed a second Soviet jet, and kept using his maneuverability to line up passing shots with his limited ammo. He took out a third. Then he heavily damaged another that was eventually lost.
“In the moment I was a fighter pilot doing my job,” Williams told Task & Purpose in 2022. “I was only shooting what I had.”
Eventually, he ran out of ammunition and was forced to break off. He flew back to the Navy task force — which fired on him at first, mistaking him for the many more Soviet planes that had outnumbered him — and managed to land. After-action inspections found 263 bullet holes in his Panther. Somehow, Williams and the plane survived.
For his actions in the wild dogfight that day, Williams was awarded a Silver Star. But his actions were covered up — and his official victories listed as downing one enemy plane and damaging another — over fears it could heighten U.S.-Soviet tensions. So for the rest of his career, which included actions in Vietnam and commanding a ship, his record stayed that way, the truth kept hidden. It was only in the 21st century that retired Capt. Williams’ story came out.
For more than a decade, there has been a push to get Williams the Medal of Honor, with backers including retired Rear Adm. Doniphan Shelton and members of Congress. Three years ago, in December 2022, then-Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro upgraded his Silver Star to a Navy Cross, saying that Williams “clearly distinguished himself during a high-risk mission and deserve[s] proper recognition.” Williams received the award in January 2023.
The text in this year’s defense spending bill would authorize awarding Williams, who is now 100, the Medal of Honor and waive any time limitations on presenting him with the award.
Voting on the bill is expected this month.
