AWARDED DFC: 5
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Stevie R. Tucker for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On 6 January 1968, Warrant Officer Tucker was piloting the Intelligence Officer of an infantry battalion on a mission to support elements of the unit which were in contact with a Viet Cong force. Arriving over the area of fighting, he flew at extremely low level to enable the Intelligence Officer to observe the deployment of the hostile forces and advise the Ground Commander as to what actions to take. Although continually receiving small arms and automatic weapons fire, he continued making low level passes, skillfully positioning his aircraft so as to avoid the ground fire and allow his passenger optimum observation of the battlefield. When he received word that the friendly company needed a resupply of grenade launcher, automatic weapons and small arms ammunition, he volunteered to fly in the needed munitions. He picked up a load, then flew back to the embattled company. As he attempted to land, the insurgents directed a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons and rocket fire at his aircraft. In addition, the landing zone caught fire as he approached. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he ignored the intensive hostile fire as he continued to descend, then hovered low enough for the Intelligence Officer to drop the ammunition out of the aircraft. Despite continued hostile fire which hit his ship several times, he flew five more resupply missions throughout the remainder of the day. As the Viet Cong began retreating, he led several gunships in pursuit, pointing out targets and possible routes of escape. Warrant Officer Tucker's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Stevie R. Tucker for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On 14 February 1968, Warrant Officer Tucker was serving as the Pilot of a control and command helicopter while flying in support of a company reconnaissance in force operation southeast of Thu Duc. The friendly ground forces reported that they were receiving intensive fire from a numerically superior enemy force. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Warrant Officer Tucker descended and flew through the heavy hostile fire at tree-top level in an effort to locate the insurgents. He fearlessly made numerous low passes over the battle area to mark enemy positions so that gunship and artillery fire could be placed upon the hostile force. During the battle, the infantry unit's ammunition supply became depleted, and Warrant Officer Tucker volunteered to fly resupply missions for the embattled company. He flew three missions through heavy enemy fire in order to deliver the needed supplies, and each time landed in the midst of the battle area. The friendly forces soon gained fire superiority and completely routed the enemy and contributed significantly to the success of the mission. Warrant Officer Tucker's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Stevie R. Tucker for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On 15 February 1968, Warrant Officer Tucker was serving as the Pilot of a light observation helicopter which was flying in support of a company reconnaissance in force operation near Thu Duc. The friendly ground element was moving through open rice fields when suddenly it became subjected to intensive small arms and automatic weapons fire from a Viet Cong force. Without hesitation, Warrant Officer Tucker descended and flew over the hostile force in order to closely locate the positions. He continued to make perilously low passes over the enemy, continuously drawing heavy fire as he marked the insurgents' well-concealed positions with smoke grenades. Gunships and artillery batteries were then able to place devastating fire upon the enemy, causing him hastily to retreat into a densely wooded area. Warrant Officer Tucker kept pursuing the enemy despite the heavy hostile fire, marking his withdrawal with smoke grenades. Gunships, following in pursuit were thus able to place deadly fire upon the Viet Cong, inflicting heavy casualties. The exemplary courage and determination of Warrant Officer Tucker while under extremely dangerous combat conditions were instrumental in routing the enemy and contributed significantly to the success of the Infantry's ground operation. Warrant Officer Tucker's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

4.) ) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Stevie R. Tucker for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On 26 February 1968 Warrant Officer Tucker was serving as Pilot of a light observation helicopter. He was flying as support of an infantry battalion when one of its companies made contact with an unknown size Viet Cong force. Arriving over the point of contact, Warrant Officer Tucker made a quick assessment of the situation and began marking the enemy positions with smoke. As the friendly elements withdrew to allow air strikes to be called in, four Viet Cong attempted to infiltrate their lines, Warrant Officer Tucker spotted the insurgents and immediately descended and took them under fire with his personal weapon. When the air strikes were lifted, the friendly elements again moved into the area of contact. Receiving word that the infantrymen were running dangerously low on ammunition, Warrant Officer Tucker flew back to the battalion night defensive perimeter and obtained a resupply of ammunition. Although his aircraft was struck several times by enemy automatic weapons fire, Warrant Officer Tucker remained on the ground until all of the ammunition was unloaded. He then ascended and began adjusting supporting artillery fires and assisting the ground forces by radio until the enemy elements were driven from the area. His exemplary courage and great skill as an aviator contributed significantly to the successful outcome of the engagement. Warrant Officer Tucker's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

5.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Stevie R. Tucker for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On 30 March 1968, Warrant Officer Tucker was serving as the Pilot of a light observation helicopter flying in support of a ground operation conducted by an Infantry company in Gia Dinh Province. In the early afternoon hours, the friendly ground force was moving through open rice fields surrounded by thick brush when it suddenly came under intensive hostile fire from a numerically superior enemy force. Warrant Officer Tucker observed that the Infantry unit had received several casualties and was unable to evacuate the wounded because of the heavy concentration of enemy fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he maneuvered his helicopter through the perilous fire so that his passenger could place suppressive fire upon the enemy. Warrant Officer Tucker repeated his brave actions several times, enabling the friendly casualties to be evacuated. Afterwards, he skillfully piloted his craft directly over the enemy positions as his observer marked them with smoke grenades. The gunship teams, guided by the colored smoke, began placing heavy barrages of machine gun fire upon the insurgents. As the insurgents hastily withdrew, Warrant Officer Tucker kept them under surveillance and forced them to fight. Using Warrant Officer Tucker's accurate information, the friendly forces completely overwhelmed the insurgents. The long, arduous hours of continuous flying under hazardous combat conditions are indicative of Warrant Officer Tucker's high degree of professional skill. His courage and initiative were instrumental in routing the enemy and contributed significantly to the success of the operation. Warrant Officer Tucker's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.