AWARDED DFC: 1 w/ V Device
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  KC-10A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Samuel D Smith who distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as KC-10A Aircraft Commander, 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Operations Group, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates on 27 March 2003. On that date, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, his aircraft received an urgent mayday call to provide emergency air refueling to two British Tornadoes who were dangerously low on fuel after conducting air strikes on the enemy. Upon receiving new instructions from command and control, Captain Smith repositioned his KC-10A to fly deep into Iraq's surface to air missile and antiaircraft artillery threat envelope to successfully rendezvous with and refuel the coalition fighters, who were only two minutes from impending ejection from fuel starvation. While navigating to the Tornadoes, Captain Smith exhibited great courage by navigating through hostile airspace where enemy airbursts were observed and increasing his visibility to the enemy by dumping fuel to help the Tornadoes visually acquire his aircraft. After the emergency refueling, Captain Smith raced to refuel a flight of two F-18s who were only five minutes from their divert fuel bingo. Finally, Captain Smith and his crew affected a rendezvous and refueled two A-10s at an extremely vulnerable altitude of twelve thousand feet, well within the entire Iraqi surface to air weapon arsenal. The airmanship, valor and leadership exhibited by Captain Smith in the successful accomplishment of this dangerous air refueling mission, under extremely volatile conditions and threat of enemy fire, undoubtedly saved precious coalition lives. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. "V" for Valor Device