AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  OV-10

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Charles T. Sweeney for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine Observation Squadron Two, Marine Aircraft Group Eleven, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 August 1970, Captain Sweeney launched as Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) aboard an armed OV-10 Bronco aircraft assigned the mission of providing emergency support for an eight-man reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with elements of a large North Vietnamese Army unit in an extremely mountainous area west of DaNang. Undaunted by heavy rain and low-cloud cover, which severely restricted visibility, Captain Sweeney, exercising superb airmanship, directed his Bronco on a low-level course toward his objective. Arriving over the designated location, he found that the poor visibility and the proximity of the opposing forces precluded the utilization of supporting artillery fire and fixed wing bombing runs and accordingly, requested an extract helicopter and the assistance of additional OV-10 aircraft. While waiting their arrival, he skillfully maneuvered his Bronco on repeated low-level rocket and strafing runs along the flanks of the reconnaissance team to discourage further enemy attacks and, although his thus came under intense automatic weapons fire, he resolutely continued his determined efforts until he had inflicted numerous casualties on the hostile unit and forced it to withdraw a short distance from the reconnaissance team. At this time, he was joined by another OV-10 aircraft and, with this assistance, effected a daring pattern of multiple runs on the enemy position. When he had exhausted his ordnance, he valiantly executed dummy runs over the target area, thereby drawing enemy fire away from the Marines on the ground and allowing them to move to a landing site to await extraction. Meanwhile, approaching transport helicopters advised that, because of the poor visibility, they were unable to locate the landing zone. Unhesitatingly, Captain Sweeney maneuvered his aircraft around the dangerous mountain peaks to where the CH-46 helicopters were orbiting and guided them to the site where they effected a safe extraction of the reconnaissance team. Captain Sweeney's courage, superior aeronautical ability, and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of eight fellow Marines and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.