AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force
MODEL:  F-111F, F-117A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain P. Mason Carpenter for heroism while participating in Aerial Flight as an F-111F Aircraft Commander in Western Iraq on 22 January 1991. On that date, Captain Carpenter lead a four-ship package against three separate early warning radar sites and an Iraqi airfield in an effort to divert enemy attention away from a search and rescue effort to recover a downed pilot in enemy territory. The mission was compounded by intense antiaircraft artillery fire and numerous surface-to-air missile threats along the ingress route in the target areas. The flight's attack resulted in total early warning blackout and provided search and rescue forces ample cover to recover the downed aircrew. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain P. Mason Carpenter for heroism while participating in Aerial Flight as an F-111F Aircraft Four-Ship Flight Lead at Tuz Khurmatu, Iraq, on 28 January 1991. On that date, Captain Carpenter was tasked with a short-notice, high-priority mission to attack the Tuz Khurmatu Airfield. Due west of Baghdad, Captain Carpenter received intense barrage antiaircraft artillery fire detonating at his altitude and was forced to threat react with limited fuel reserves. Seventy-five miles north of Baghdad, Captain Carpenter descended to his attack altitude of ten thousand feet and again encountered intense aimed and barrage antiaircraft artillery fire. Avoiding the threats, he aggressively maneuvered away from his planned attack axis, continued to the target and released cluster munitions perfectly in the center of the airfield's main ramp, striking an IL-76 heavy transport aircraft. The attack on this airfield disrupted staging operations of Iraqi aircraft fleeing into Iran. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel P. Mason Carpenter for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-117A Stealth Fighter Pilot over the Former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, on 23 April 1999. On that date, Colonel Carpenter served as the overall mission commander of a multi-ship aircraft strike package on a highly successful mission flown deep into Serbian airspace in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Operation ALLIED FORCE. As the mission commander and flight lead, Colonel Carpenter was the central figure in the detailed planning, coordination, and execution of this vitally important and highly integrated mission. While in enemy airspace, he exhibited the highest level of courage under intense pressure from the dense anti-aircraft artillery fire and surface-to-air missile activity. He braved this tremendous threat to his personal safety and prosecuted a highly successful attack on a key Serbian airfield. Despite the grave risk to his own personal safety, Colonel Carpenter calmly acquired his target, guided his precision weapons, and scored two direct hits on the target. Due to his superb planning and leadership, the remainder of the strike package enjoyed equal success. The results of this single action were the most successful of the war for the squadron. Colonel Carpenter's singularly distinctive achievements made a vital contribution to the overall success of Operation ALLIED FORCE. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.