AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  OH-6A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Michael C. Vecellio, First Lieutenant, Armor, United States Army, Trp B, 3rd Sqdn, 17th Air Cav, Republic of Vietnam, for action dated 15 December 1967 for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: First Lieutenant Vecellio distinguished himself while serving as pilot of a light observation helicopter. While adjusting artillery fire, he received a distress call from an armed helicopter which was shot down while supporting a friendly unit. He went to the area in which the armed helicopter crashed, and hovered above thick bamboo while the seriously wounded crewman was loaded aboard. After departing the area with the injured man, he flew through friendly artillery fire to get to the medical facility most rapidly. After leaving the injured man at the aid station, he returned to the area of the crash and found that he could not land in the area because the other observation helicopter crashed while trying to rescue the other wounded man. He then flew to a nearby road and let his observer off, and provided cover while the observer walked through the jungle to the downed aircraft. After the crew was brought back to the road and evacuated on a medical evacuation helicopter, First Lieutenant Vecellio again exposed himself to enemy fire while he landed to pick up his observer and pilot of the other helicopter. His actions were in keeping with the highest 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 award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) to Michael C. Vecellio, Captain, Armor, United States Army, Trp B, 3/17 Air Cav, Republic of Vietnam, for action dated 29 March 1968 for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: Captain Vecellio distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of an OH-6A scout helicopter on an aerial reconnaissance mission near Song Be. During the reconnaissance of an enemy base camp area the enemy forces suddenly unleashed an intensive fire at his aircraft, inflicting numerous hits in it. Nevertheless he marked the positions with smoke before flying clear of the area. Then, with complete disregard for his own safety and the severe damage to his aircraft, he reentered the hostile zone and marked several more enemy positions. During the subsequent attack on those targets his aircraft provided accurate supporting fire. Through his courage, sound judgement, and dedicated professionalism, he contributed immeasurably to the defeat of the enemy force. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) to Michael C. Vecellio, Captain, Armor, United States Army, Trp B, 3/17 Air Cav, Republic of Vietnam, for action dated 4 May 1968 for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: Captain Vecellio distinguished himself by valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of an OH-6A light observation helicopter, on a reconnaissance mission near Duc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Vecellio located a group of enemy troops in a wooded area and maneuvered his aircraft so that his observer could take them under fire, exposing himself to the enemy as he did so. Six of the enemy were killed and, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Vecellio hovered his aircraft over the area to thoroughly inspect the bodies. He noticed several of the enemy were carrying pouches that appeared to contain documents and reported this to his operations. A few moments later a UH-1 helicopter arrived and Captain Vecellio directed it into the area and provided cover while the crew members gathered the documents and enemy weapons. The documents that were captured through Captain Vecellio’s heroic actions proved to be valuable intelligence information concerning the enemy may offensive in the Saigon area. His actions were in keeping with the highest 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 award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) to Michael C. Vecellio, Captain, Armor, United States Army, Trp B, 3/17 Air Cav, Republic of Vietnam, for action dated 1 May 1968 for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: Captain Vecellio distinguished himself by valorous actions while serving as scout team leader and aircraft commander of an OH-6A light observation helicopter on a low level reconnaissance mission near Duc Hoa. As he neared a hedgerow, the enemy suddenly unleashed an intensive of automatic weapons fire. Although receiving heavy fire, Captain Vecellio remained in the area long enough to mark the target so that his other element could place accurate fire upon it. When the enemy positions were silenced, he fearlessly entered the area and found four enemy dead and a fifth attempting to escape. He fearlessly flew his aircraft in pursuit, descending to an even lower altitude and instructing his observer to try and halt the man without killing him. Though several intimidating shots failed to halt the insurgent, he was lightly wounded. He daringly hovered above the enemy soldier while the observer directed him to move to a nearby clearing. Although exposed to the enemy the entire time, he remained low level to skillfully herd the prisoner to the open area. Due to Captain Vecellio’s splendid performance, vital information was gleaned that aided immeasurably in future operations. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.