AWARDED DFC: 7
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  HH-3E, HH-53

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Specialist on an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 22 January 1969. On that date, Sergeant Nardi penetrated an extremely hostile area to extract a stranded aircrew member. Despite the hostile fire, which had severely damaged and driven off a rescue helicopter, forcing it to leave a crewmember suspended in the trees, Sergeant Nardi, unhesitatingly, volunteered to be lowered to the ground to recover the injured airman. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Nardi deployed to the ground and effected the rescue of the injured airman. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi 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 Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Rescue Specialist on an HH-3E near Danang, Republic of Vietnam on 24 March 1969. On that date, Sergeant Nardi’s aircraft penetrated a hostile environment to attempt the rescue of a downed airman, despite groundfire which had driven off the helicopter attempting the rescue initially. While maintaining a hover, his aircraft was subjected to continuous groundfire, however the rescue effort was continued and after a prolonged hover the injured survivor was rescued. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi 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 Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Rescue Specialist on an HH-3E near Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam on 6 December 1969. On that date, Sergeant Nardi rendered suppressive fire from vulnerable positions inside the aircraft while the aircraft was attempting a rescue. Sergeant Nardi’s quick actions to aid another crewman and his evaluation of hostile groundfire were essential in the aircraft exiting from the hostile environment. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi 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 Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a HH-3E Rescue Technician near Danang, Republic of Vietnam on 12 May 1969. On that date, Sergeant Nardi’s exemplary knowledge, and outstanding airmanship, displayed under extremely hazardous conditions, resulted in the successful rescue of a United States Marine pilot from the waters of the South China Sea. Sergeant Nardi jumped from his helicopter, into the sea, to assist the survivor and prepare him to be hoisted aboard, thus preventing the survivor from becoming entangled in his own gear and possibly drowned. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi 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 Technical Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pararescue Technician on an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter, near Tchepone, Laos, on 13 March 1971. On that date, Sergeant Nardi attempted the rescue of a wounded United States Navy pilot from certain death or capture by hostile armed forces. With full knowledge that another helicopter had twice been driven off by ground fire, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Nardi exposed himself on the rescue hoist outside the helicopter to descend to help the wounded man on the ground, until withering ground fire crippled the helicopter and wounded four crew members, making continued rescue attempts impossible. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

6.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Fifth Oak Leaf Cluster) to Technical Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pararescue Technician on an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter near Kracheh, Cambodia, on 8 November 1971. On that date, Sergeant Nardi’s outstanding airmanship and extensive technical skill, displayed under the extremely hazardous conditions of making a pick up in a known hostile area, culminated in the rescue of eight Vietnamese crewmembers whose H-34 Helicopter had been shot down. With Complete disregard for his own personal safety, and despite the threat of hostile ground fire, Sergeant Nardi exposed himself in the open door of the helicopter to man his defensive gun position and provide suppressive fire throughout the landing and recovery of all survivors. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

7.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster) to Technical Sergeant Eugene L. Nardi for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pararescue Technician on an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter, deep within North Vietnam, on 23 March 1971. On that date, Sergeant Nardi’s outstanding airmanship and sound technical skill displayed under extremely hazardous conditions, contributed significantly to the rescue of two United States Air Force aircrewmen from certain death or capture by hostile armed forces. While flying cover for the prime recovery helicopter and with disregard for his own personal safety, braving the threat of anti-aircraft artillery, surface to air missiles, and fighter interceptor aircraft, in penetrating into North Vietnam, Sergeant Nardi exposed himself to man his gun position throughout the rescue effort. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Nardi reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.