AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  AC-47

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Technical Sergeant Clayton E Fansler for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-47 Flight Engineer near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam on 8 January 1969. On that night, Sergeant Fansler was scrambled to a target near Dak To, where a Special Forces Camp was under attack and in danger of being overrun by a numerically superior hostile force. Sergeant Fansler voluntarily assisted the loadmaster in dropping the hazardous flares, although this necessitated his standing very close to the open cargo door during the most turbulent part of the firing orbit. Sergeant Fansler also assisted in the loading of the miniguns, which were being fired very rapidly. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Fansler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.