AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1P

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States of America takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Morris L. Pickel, Jr., for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Helicopter Aerial Gunner near Duc Lap, Republic of Vietnam on 26 March 1970. On that date, Sergeant Pickel repeatedly attacked a large opposing force, deep in hostile territory, in support of a friendly long-range reconnaissance patrol. Despite the fact that his aircraft had taken hits from the intense ground fire, Sergeant Pickel directed his weapon with such accuracy and devastation that the entire patrol was rescued. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Pickel 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 to Staff Sergeant Morris L. Pickel, Jr., for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1P Helicopter Aerial Gunner in Southeast Asia on 7 April 1970. On that date, Sergeant Pickel executed numerous devastating firing passes against a hostile force in support of a friendly long range reconnaissance patrol. The accurate and lethal firepower provided by Sergeant Pickel resulted in the rescue of the entire patrol. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Pickel 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 to Staff Sergeant Morris L. Pickel, Jr., for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1P Helicopter Gunner near Ban Don, Republic of Vietnam, on 20 April 1970. On that date, Sergeant Pickel executed repeated firing passes against an opposing armed force in support of a friendly long range reconnaissance patrol. Despite intense ground fire and the fact that one of the transport helicopters had been shot down, Sergeant Pickel provided such an accurate and lethal barrage of firepower that the entire patrol was rescued. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Pickel 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 to Staff Sergeant Morris L. Pickel, Jr., for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1P Helicopter Aerial Gunner in Southeast Asia on 20 April 1970. On that date, Sergeant Pickel executed repeated firing passes against an opposing armed force in support of a Vietnamese long range reconnaissance patrol. Despite intense ground fire and the fact that a transport helicopter had been shot down, Sergeant Pickel provided such an accurate barrage of firepower that the entire patrol was rescued. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Pickel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.