AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  HH-3E,HH-3F,HH-52

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John A. Firse for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander near Dien Bien Phu, North Vietnam on 6 December 1966. On that date, Captain Firse voluntarily proceeded unescorted to a hostile rescue area and, with unwavering calmness and courage, successfully recovered two downed airmen despite heavy automatic weapons fire directed at his helicopter. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Firse 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 (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain John A. Firse for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Crew Commander of an unarmed HH-3E Rescue Helicopter in Southeast Asia on 10 March 1967. On that date, Captain Firse led his crew in the successful recovery of two downed Air Force pilots. Because of rapidly varying wind currents and clear air turbulence, hovering the rescue Helicopter over the steep jungle covered hills was extremely hazardous and difficult. With unwavering determination, perseverance, and skill, Captain Firse positioned his helicopter directly over the survivors until they were hoisted aboard. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Firse 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 (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain John A. Firse for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander in Southeast Asia on 21 June 1967. On that date, Captain Firse penetrated an extremely hostile environment to recover a downed Air Force pilot. Initially driven off by surface-to-air missiles, he returned to the scene where, pinpointing the survivor in a deep “V” shaped ravine, he hovered his aircraft into the extremely confined airspace where a successful recovery could be made. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Firse reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John A. Firse for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on March 12, 1968 as aircraft commander of a Coast Guard HH-52A helicopter engaged in the evacuation of 11 crewmen from the floating oil rig JULIE ANN, Dixilyn No 8, located 110 miles southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite severe weather conditions with 40 knot winds, 20-foot seas and blowing spray which constantly threatened to extinguish the aircraft’s engine, Captain Firse skillfully maneuvered the helicopter and hovered less than 10-feet from the sinking rig with his rotor blades less than 10-feet from the superstructure. Although occasional monstrous swells racked the rig even closer to the hovering helicopter, Captain Firse persevered and with the utmost precision successfully hoisted seven survivors, off loaded then on a nearby stationary oil rig platform and returned to the pounding rig to hoist four more survivors un the same arduous conditions. Captain Firse remained on scene until his critical fuel state forced him to relinquish his post and proceed to a fueling site. Captain Firse displayed expert airmanship and dauntless valor throughout this perilous mission. His aeronautical skill, courage, sound judgement and wavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Air Force.