AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  CH-47

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Sanford E. Parr for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On that date, Warrant Officer Parr was piloting a CH-47 helicopter in support of an element of the 1st Infantry Division heavily engaged with Viet Cong forces near Minh Thanh. Warrant Officer Parr’s mission was to lower a footbridge across a swift-moving stream in the operational area. As his helicopter approached the site with the sling-loaded bridge section, it came under constant and accurate hostile fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Warrant Officer Parr ignored the hostile fire and slowly lowered the bridge into place. The insurgent fire became so intense that the ground force commander ordered Warrant Officer Parr’s aircraft out of the area. He refused to jettison the load which, if dropped, would have killed friendly troops on the ground. Instead, he slowly lifted the bridge section vertically and then departed from the area. After flying his cargo to a secure area, Warrant Officer Parr returned to the site to extract the engineer unit. Again, upon approaching the area, the aircraft came under hostile fire. Despite the devastating barrage, he landed the aircraft and remained at the controls completely exposed to the snipers so that he could depart as soon as the troops and bridging material were loaded. Warrant Officer Parr realized the importance of the mission and was preparing to go back into the area when the ground force commander decided not to make another attempt. The intrepidity, undaunted spirit and unwavering resolution in the face of extreme danger exemplified by Warrant Officer Parr were responsible for saving the lives of many soldiers and distinguish him as a combat aviator of the highest caliber. Warrant Officer Parr’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.