AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1H, UH-1C

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Donald M. Sepe for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 26 September 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Sepe distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Aircraft Commander of a UH-1H helicopter, inserting reinforcements to a beleaguered unit in the Dong Tam area. Being totally unfamiliar with the area, he made a safe formation landing to a blacked-out landing zone where he let off the needed reinforcing elements. While the men were unloading in the dark landing zone, the enemy placed accurate mortar fire at the formation of helicopters. He exited the landing zone in formation even though enemy automatic weapons fire was directed at the departing ships. On the way back to base, he heard that a unit was in dire need of ammunition. The weather was getting worse, and it had started to rain by the time he and two other aircraft had reached the unit with the ammunition. Warrant Officer Sepe heard the Ground Commander asking for a medevac and, although he was becoming critically low on fuel, he volunteered his aircraft. He successfully dropped off his supplies, picked up the wounded men, and transported them to a medical facility. 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 Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Sepe for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 16 December 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Sepe distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious achievement while serving as Aircraft Commander of a UH-1H helicopter on a combat assault mission northwest of Binh Chanh. After completing a ground reconnaissance, friendly infantry called for an extraction to take them to another location. Warrant Officer Sepe, flying the second ship in a flight of four, proceeded inbound for the extraction. While at a hover over the friendly infantry, his aircraft experienced a tail rotor failure. Had Warrant Officer Sepe utilized standard emergency procedures for a tail rotor failure, the aircraft would have landed on the ground soldiers and killed many of them. Instead, he masterfully maneuvered the aircraft a safe distance away. By not landing immediately, total control of the ship was lost, and it crashed. With total disregard for his own safety, he avoided harming the soldiers on the ground. 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.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Donald M. Sepe for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 12 May 1969 in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Sepe distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Aircraft Commander on an armed UH-1C helicopter during a tactical emergency northwest of Thu Thua. Despite hazardous fire from enemy anti-aircraft and automatic weapons, he located and neutralized enemy positions while supporting friendly elements engaged in a fierce battle with an estimated enemy battalion. He identified enemy positions while flying dangerously low in an attempt to draw enemy fire. He skillfully provided maximum cover for other aircraft while they inserted friendly soldiers. Although darkness and bad weather engulfed the area, he continued to place effective fire on enemy positions which had pinned down friendly elements. After the Task Force Commander had been inserted, he neutralized an enemy position that had the Ground Commander pinned down. 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.