AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  O-1A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William F. Freitas for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 4 May 1968 evidenced by voluntary action, above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Freitas distinguished himself while piloting an O-1 aircraft in direct support of a friendly ground unit on an operation east of Duc Hoa. The unit found themselves pinned down by heavy fire from an enemy platoon. Captain Freitas immediately enlisted the aid of a cobra gunship team and skillfully maneuvered his aircraft to mark the area of the most intense enemy fires. Although intense enemy fires were directed at his aircraft, he continued to mark targets and vector gunships onto the enemy positions. When the gunships had expended their ammunition, he made several low passes in order to determine exact friendly locations, as well as the extent of destruction wrought upon the enemy. With skillful maneuvering and superb flying judgment, he was able to avoid much of the enemy fire. However, his aircraft was hit by six rounds which rendered useless two of his three communication radios. He rapidly located the enemy and used his remaining radio to skillfully vector more gunships into the area. Flying with unsurpassed daring, he stayed aloft over the action despite the extent of damage to his aircraft. Captain Freitas' courage and superb flying skill were instrumental in the successful completion of the mission. 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.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William F. Freitas for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 8 September 1968 evidenced by voluntary action, above and beyond the call of duty while piloting an O-1 airplane in support of a friendly ground unit in heavy contact with the enemy. During the entire battle, Captain Freitas exposed himself to heavy automatic weapons fire in order to pinpoint enemy locations. He undertook the coordination of friendly elements to direct them in the most advantageous lines of assault. He continually made low passes over the areas of heaviest contact in order to inform the ground units of the enemy positions. His superb direction of helicopter gunships revealed an agile mind capable of instantaneously correct decisions. He made numerous low rocket passes, killing one insurgent while forcing enemy elements to hold their positions and blocking their only available direction of withdrawal. Throughout the operation, Captain Freitas was an inspiration to the ground forces and the helicopter gunships under his control. His courage and irreproachable tactics contributed immeasurably to a victorious operation which accounted for more than 60 enemy killed and undetermined numbers wounded. 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.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William F. Freitas for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 10 October 1968 evidenced by voluntary action, above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Freitas distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while piloting a helicopter on a visual reconnaissance in support of friendly infantry. When the infantry came under intense automatic weapons, small arms, and R.P.G. fire from two Viet Cong battalions, Captain Freitas made numerous low passes over hostile positions to adjust friendly fire on the enemy. Upon the arrival of gunship light fire teams, he guided them to the enemy by marking targets with smoke. When engaged by a .50 caliber anti-aircraft weapon, he fired a smoke rocket directly into its position, thus enabling the helicopter assault team following him to completely destroy the weapon. Noting twenty of the enemy fleeing the ground element, he descended to less than one hundred feet, killed three with his M-16, and pinned down the rest until they were engaged by the fire teams. Tactical air strikes were requested, and Captain Freitas voluntarily dove at hostile positions to mark them with smoke for jet fighters. Upon completion of the strikes, he remained over the enemy to coordinate an assault by friendly elements which were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William F. Freitas for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 16 October 1968 evidenced by voluntary action, above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Freitas distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Aircraft Commander of a helicopter in support of friendly forces in contact with a platoon of Viet Cong. Captain Freitas kept the platoon of Viet Cong immobilized by making continuous low-firing passes, despite intense enemy machine gun fire. When gunships arrived, he immediately began to direct them against the dispersing enemy. He maintained contact with friendly units on the ground, continued to accurately employ the gunships' fire to within 50 meters of advancing friendly elements and marked hostile positions. Due largely to his superior, professional performance, 109 insurgents were killed, and considerable amounts of weapons, ammunition, and equipment were captured. 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.