AWARDED DFC: 5
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Charles T. Keir for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1P Helicopter Gunship Pilot near Ban Don, Republic of Vietnam, on 20 April 1970. On that date, Captain Keir skillfully executed repeated attacks against an opposing armed force which was threatening to overrun a friendly long range reconnaissance patrol. Despite the fact that one of the transport helicopters had been shot down earlier in the rescue attempt, Captain Keir provided such accurate fire power that it resulted in the rescue of the entire patrol. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Keir 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 Charles T. Keir for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1P Helicopter Gunship Pilot in Southeast Asia on 20 April 1970. On that date, Captain Keir skillfully executed attacks on an opposing armed force which was threatening to overrun a Vietnamese long range reconnaissance patrol. Despite intense ground fire and the fact that a transport helicopter had been shot down in the rescue attempt, Captain Keir provided such accurate fire power that it resulted in the rescue of the entire patrol. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Keir 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 Charles T. Keir for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1P Helicopter Gunship Pilot near Ban Don, Republic of Vietnam, on 19 July 1970. On that date, Captain Keir made repeated firing passes at low level to rescue a long range reconnaissance patrol which was under heavy opposing automatic weapons fire deep in hostile territory. The extremely accurate and devastating firepower from Captain Keir's helicopter allowed the rescue of the entire patrol. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Keir reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Charles T. Keir for heroism while participating in aerial flight as pilot near Ban Me Thuot, Republic of Vietnam on 24 August 1970. On that date, while piloting a UH-1P Helicopter Gunship Captain Keir made repeated low level firing passes in extremely hazardous weather to rescue a long range reconnaissance patrol which was under heavy opposing automatic weapons fire deep in hostile territory. The extremely accurate and devastating fire of Captain Keir's Helicopter made possible the rescue of all members of the patrol. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Keir reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

5.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster) to Captain Charles T. Keir for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1P Helicopter Gunship Pilot near Duc Lap, Republic of Vietnam on 11 September 1970. On that date, while piloting a UH-1P Helicopter Gunship Captain Keir flew continuous missions over a four hour period in extremely hazardous weather in combat support of three separate long range reconnaissance patrols. Captain Keir made repeated low level firing passes at tree top level to rescue each of the three long range reconnaissance patrols which were under heavy opposing automatic weapons fire deep in hostile territory. The extremely accurate and devastating fire power of Captain Keir's helicopter made possible the rescue of all members of the patrol. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Keir reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.