AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  UH-1H

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Roger S. Wheaton for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 29 October 1968 evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. First Lieutenant Wheaton distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as the Pilot of a UH-1H helicopter, supporting a reconnaissance company in Long Khanh Province. When a call for a medevac was received, he quickly volunteered to pick up the man who had been wounded in contact with the enemy. The area was in the center of a storm that lowered the ceiling to one hundred fifty feet. After illumination flares had been dropped, he hovered down to the tree tops to drop the extraction rig. It was necessary to hover within ten feet of a large tree to center the aircraft over the team, and the rope became tangled in the jungle growth just as the last flare burned out, leaving the area totally blacked out. The Aircraft Commander attempted to pull the ropes free, but he suffered vertigo. First Lieutenant Wheaton immediately took control of the aircraft, while he passed his knife to the Gunner who cut the ropes free. After making an immediate climbout away from the trees, First Lieutenant Wheaton relinquished control of the ship to the Aircraft Commander who had become reoriented. They had spotted a possible place to land, but the illumination flares showed the clearing to be densely foliated with small brush. They set the ship down and the extraction was completed without further incident. 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 Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Roger S. Wheaton for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 3 September 1969 evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Wheaton distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as the Aircraft Commander of an armed helicopter and as the Team Leader of a fire fly team supporting friendly forces in a hamlet near Long Thanh. His aircraft was equipped with a large search light and was searching for enemy forces which had attacked the hamlet's defensive forces. Encountering only light fire occasionally, Captain Wheaton departed the area to refuel, but received a call that the enemy was assaulting in force. Captain Wheaton returned to the area and was met by heavy fire. The allied force marked an area of enemy concentration, and the search light was placed over the area. Suddenly one house opened up with intense fire, and Captain Wheaton began door gun suppression and called in his wing ship for support, keeping his light on the house and orbiting under fire, as his wingman rolled in. When his wingman was caught in intense fire, he turned and destroyed the house with one rocket. Continuing his search, he met intense resistance several times, but he kept the target lighted, as his door gunner and wing ship destroyed the enemy target and ceased their fire. After five hours on-station, there was no longer any enemy activity, and a ground sweep revealed twenty one enemy killed. 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.