AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  AC-130

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Dale C. Russell for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-13O Gunship Night Observation Device Sensor Operator in Laos son 17 January 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 24 hostile supply vehicles, the ignition of 23 secondary fires and 13 secondary explosions. He acquired and tracked numerous hostile supply vehicles despite violent evasive maneuvers to avoid intense and accurate hostile antiaircraft fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Russell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to Major Dale C. Russell for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-13O Gunship Low Light Level Television Sensor Operator in Laos on 1 February 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted in the damage or destruction of 24 hostile supply vehicles, the creation of nine sustained fires and the ignition of 39 secondary explosions. His excellent technique on the Television Sensor System, and thorough knowledge of tactics, enabled him to effectively acquire and track these hostile vehicles, despite the violent aircraft maneuvers executed to avoid intense and accurate antiaircraft fire. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Russell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

3.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) to Major Dale C. Russell for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-13O Gunship Night Observation Device Sensor Operator over Laos on 31 January 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission over heavily defended hostile supply routes, he directly assisted ln the damage or destruction of 26 hostile supply vehicles, and the creation of several secondary fires and explosions. Hanging over his sensor in the open door of the aircraft and buffered by the slipstream, he tracked and held the target despite violent evasive maneuvers and the dense jungle below. His work on this mission resulted in the destruction of vast quantities of supplies and munitions destined for hostile forces in Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Russell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

4.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) to Lieutenant Colonel Dale C. Russell for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-130 Gunship Navigator over Laos on 15 March 1971. On that date, while on a night armed reconnaissance mission, his actions led to the damage or destruction of 15 hostile vehicles and the ignition of 10 secondary fires and 18 secondary explosions. Putting aside his concern for personal safety in the face of 308 rounds of hostile antiaircraft fire he succeeded in destroying large amounts of supplies and munitions destined for use against friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Russell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.