AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1E

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John J. Sullivan, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Six, Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the night of 20 December 1968, First Lieutenant Sullivan launched as Wingman in a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters to provide cover for a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency extraction of a reconnaissance team heavily engaged with a numerically superior hostile force in the Demilitarized Zone. Undaunted by the nearly total darkness and the threat of fire from known enemy automatic weapons and antiaircraft artillery positions in the area, First Lieutenant Sullivan skillfully maneuvered his gunship to provide cover while his section leader executed several low-level passes to identify the landing zone and locate the sources of hostile fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly maneuvered his aircraft through the heavy volume of enemy fire and delivered effective suppressive fire which silenced the fire from hostile positions, enabling the CH-46 escorted by the lead gunship to land, embark the beleaguered Marines, and lift out of the fire-swept zone. As a result of the devastating effectiveness of air strikes by two flights of fixed wing aircraft, which he skillfully directed, other enemy firing positions were silenced, and a large secondary explosion erupted. First Lieutenant Sullivan's courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

2.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the second Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John J. Sullivan, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Six, Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 11 April 1969, First Lieutenant Sullivan launched as Section Leader of a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting transport helicopters engaged in reconnaissance team insertions and extractions in Quang Tri Province. As he led an extraction aircraft into one of the landing zones, his flight came under intense antiaircraft fire. Quickly directing that the landing be aborted, he initiated a meticulous search of the area and alertly discovered two camouflaged 12. 7mm antiaircraft weapons emplaced in dense jungle foliage. After directing his wingman to escort a transport helicopter to a landing near the beleaguered Marines while he provided covering fire, First Lieutenant Sullivan, undaunted by the heavy volume of fire directed against his aircraft, fearlessly maneuvered his gunship on repeated rocket and strafing runs against the enemy positions. As a result of the accuracy and devastating effectiveness of his attacks, one of the hostile emplacements was destroyed and the fire from the second was suppressed sufficiently to enable the extraction aircraft to land, embark the reconnaissance team, and depart the dangerous area. While refueling and rearming his helicopter at the Vandegrift Combat Base, First Lieutenant Sullivan was informed that another reconnaissance team was heavily engaged with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force and required immediate extraction. Resolutely proceeding to the designated area, he found that the beleaguered Marines were located in a ravine and that the enemy occupied the surrounding terrain. Ignoring the intensity of the hostile ground fire directed against his UH-1E, First Lieutenant Sullivan boldly maneuvered his gunship on low passes over the hazardous area to guide the embattled team to a more suitable landing zone. In order to further suppress the North Vietnamese fire and to conserve ordnance, he skillfully alternated rocket and strafing attacks with simulated firing runs, enabling a transport helicopter to extract the endangered team. First Lieutenant Sullivan's courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous missions and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

3.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the third Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John J. Sullivan, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Six, Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 April 1969, First Lieutenant Sullivan launched as Section Leader of a flight of two UH-1E Huey helicopters assigned to support a heliborne assault of Army of the Republic of Vietnam troops into an enemy-controlled area of Quang Tri Province where enemy activity had been detected. Arriving over the designated area, he conducted a visual reconnaissance of the area and then began to deliver suppressive fire while the lead transport helicopter commenced its approach to the landing zone. As the transport touched down, several explosions occurred under and near the aircraft, causing it to burst into flames. Reacting instantly, First Lieutenant Sullivan located some of the sources of hostile fire and completely disregarded his own safety as he boldly attacked the enemy positions and delivered such effective fire that the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable the survivors of the transport to exit the burning aircraft and carry their wounded comrades to covered positions. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of enemy automatic and small arms fire directed at his Huey, he fearlessly executed such devastatingly effective fire and simulated firing runs, that several hostile firing positions were silenced and the fire from others suppressed sufficiently to enable a transport helicopter on its third attempt, to safely hoist the downed passengers and crew out of the dangerous area and then proceed to the nearest medical facility. First Lieutenant Sullivan's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.