AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  OH-6A, UH-1D

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Bruce W. Osborne, First Lieutenant, Armor, United States Army, Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, Republic of Vietnam, for action dated 1 February 1969 for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: First Lieutenant Osborne distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while supporting friendly elements during an encirclement of an enemy company outside Ap Binh Tuong. Spotting an enemy soldier in one of the bunkers within seventy-five meters of the friendly forces, he maneuvered his aircraft down directly in front of the bunker and his comrade killed the insurgent. Then, after hearing that one of the friendly soldiers was seriously wounded and was too close to the enemy position to be reached, he landed his helicopter directly in front of the enemy bunker and extracted the wounded soldier, disregarding the barrage of enemy fire. 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 award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Bruce W. Osborne, First Lieutenant, Armor, B Troop, 2nd Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Air Cavalry, for heroism involving in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 13 May 1969. Lieutenant Osborne distinguished himself while serving as pilot of an OH-6A helicopter on an extraction mission west of the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. Upon receiving word of a downed helicopter in an enemy base camp, Lieutenant Osborne quickly volunteered to aid in extracting the severely wounded crew. He manuevered his aircraft into the area and began a systematic search for the downed aircraft and its crew. Under long volleys of enemy machine gun fire, Lieutenant Osborne continued to fly slowly around the area until he observed the wrecked aircraft and one of its crew members. At the same time, he sighted a squad size North Vietnamese Army force maneuvering through the underbrush toward the crash site. Lieutenant Osborne positioned his helicopter so that his door gunner could place suppressive fire on the enemy soldiers. A blistering fire fight followed with the machine gun proving too much for the ground force. The enemy force quickly retreated leaving behind its wounded and dead. Then, disregarding constant and intense enemy fire, Lieutenant Osborne marked with smoke grenades the largest concentration of enemy fire and directed gunship strikes on the area, effectively eliminating the enemy positions. Immediately returning to the location of the injured crew, he provided constant low level cover for the crew until they could be extracted by a medical evacuation helicopter. Lieutenant Osborne's personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.