AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Korea
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) David M. Rowlands for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Jet Fighter Plane in Fighter Squadron Seven Hundred Eighty-one, based on board the U.S.S. Oriskany, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 18 November 1952. Sighting a group of seven hostile fighter planes, while flying a combat air patrol mission on station over Task Force Seventy-seven, Lieutenant (jg) Rowlands skillfully maneuvered his aircraft into position to meet the attackers and, although outnumbered and directly bracketed by four enemy planes, succeeded in damaging one hostile plane, forcing it to retire from action immediately. When his section leader was under attack by hostile aircraft, Lieutenant (jg) Rowlands, despite the fact his guns were jammed, bravely carried out repeated non-firing passes to divert the enemy from further attack. By his outstanding courage, superb airmanship, and selfless devotion to duty, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.