AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Indian River, DE
MODEL:  H-13

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James R. Sulpizi for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 7 March 1962 at Indian River, Delaware. During a disastrous storm and flood that struck the Delaware coast, Captain Sulpizi unhesitatingly volunteered to fly the only available aircraft, a one-passenger H-13 helicopter, to rescue personnel in danger of drowning from rising flood waters at the Indian River Coast Guard Station. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and by skillfully piloting his aircraft through violent atmospheric turbulence that normally would preclude all flight operations, he courageously made ten round-trip rescue missions of approximately nine miles each way. Although gale force winds rendered the operation of the small helicopter extremely hazardous, he successfully rescued five persons from the Coast Guard Station. By continuing in his efforts, he evacuated five other victims who were clinging to trucks awash in the treacherous flood waters. His singlehanded dangerous rescue mission continued over a period of several hours and ended only after a larger helicopter arrived to evacuate the remaining flood victims. Captain Sulpizi's strong determination, presence of mind and heroic action in this emergency that saved the lives of ten persons, reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.