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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Gerald L. Whitaker for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Whitaker distinguished himself on 13 December 1970 while serving as Pilot of an UH-1H helicopter during a mission to drop sensor devices near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam. During the mission, Warrant Officer Whitaker's aircraft came under intense enemy anti-aircraft fire and sustained numerous hits which rendered the tail rotor inoperative. Although only a portion of the controls remained functional, Warrant Officer Whitaker completed the mission and returned to land at his base camp with no further damage to the aircraft. His efforts were instrumental in making the intelligence obtained from the sensor devices available to the unit. Warrant Officer Whitaker's outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.