AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  F-4C

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in awarding the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Joseph L. Moran for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C pilot over North Vietnam on 19 December 1965. On that date, Lieutenant Moran was flying his first combat mission as number two in a four ship flight on a Joint Chiefs of Staff directed strike. After successfully evading intense fire from anti-aircraft artillery his aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile resulting in an immediate flame out of the number two engine and subsequent flame out of the number one engine. Despite the hazardous conditions involved, Lieutenant Moran successfully guided his aircraft out of hostile territory before ejecting from the disabled craft. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Moran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.