AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  MH-53

Citation:  1.) Citation to accompany the award of the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (WITH VALOR) to Matthew O. Berry: Captain Matthew 0. Berry distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as MH-53 pilot on 12 April 2004. On that date, his aircraft was chalk two of a two-ship formation of MH-53's conducting a combat re-supply mission inside Iraq. Flight lead of their formation was engaged and shot down by Iraqi insurgents just south of Fallujah. Immediately following the downing of his flight lead, he and his aircraft were also engaged by the insurgents, with surface to air fire missing his aircraft by only 25 meters. Captain Berry reacted immediately by navigating his aircraft out of the threat area and attempting to contact additional air assets in the nearby area. Over the course of only a few minutes, his aircraft was engaged two more times by the enemy with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. Despite his aircraft being engaged three separate times, he and his crew returned to the objective area to search for the downed aircraft and crew. After 10 minutes of searching, the damaged aircraft was located. With the enemy closing in, Captain Berry passed updated coordinates and the enemy situation to an AC-130. Once full accountability was complete and they were loaded on his aircraft, Captain Berry coordinated with the AC-130 to cover their egress. During their take off, his aircraft was engaged for the fourth time with the enemy. Again, he expertly navigated his aircraft clear of the enemy threat while passing the status of the injured ·crew to the command and control element. All injured crewmembers were under medical care within 20 minutes of the incident. Captain Berry's heroic efforts had been critical in the successful combat recovery of the isolated personnel, thus saving the lives of nine United States servicemen. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Berry reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.