AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  AH-1

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Frank G. Wickersham, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Two, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 June 1969, Captain Wickersham launched as Section Leader of a flight of two AH-1G Cobra helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the extraction of a long-range reconnaissance patrol which had sustained casualties while in contact with a hostile force deep in enemy-controlled territory southwest of An Hoa. When a CH-46 transport helicopter attempting the extraction came under intense enemy fire which wounded two of its crewmen, Captain Wickersham provided such highly effective covering fire that the extraction aircraft was able to depart the dangerous area. Skillfully delivering white phosphorous rockets to screen the approach of another CH-46, he boldly executed repeated rocket and strafing runs and suppressed the hostile fire sufficiently to permit the beleaguered patrol to be safely extracted. The following day, Captain Wickersham again launched as Section Leader of a flight of two AH-1G helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a seven-man reconnaissance patrol which was heavily engaged in combat with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force twenty miles southwest of An Hoa. Arriving over the designated area which was partially obscured by a low cloud cover, he found that the embattled team was surrounded and under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire and that the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) was directing air strikes upon the hostile positions. Following the completion of the air strikes, Captain Wickersham boldly maneuvered his aircraft on low-altitude runs and placed a smoke screen around the zone to cover the approach of two CH-46 transport helicopters. Undaunted by the heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire directed at his aircraft and the difficulty encountered in maneuvering his Cobra over the hazardous terrain, he fearlessly executed repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with an effectiveness that silenced the hostile fire and thereby enabled the reconnaissance team to be hoisted out of the precarious area and safely returned to its base. Captain Wickersham's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

2.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the second Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Frank G. Wickersham III, United States Marine Corps for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Two, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 19 July 1969, Captain Wickersham launched as Wingman in a flight of two AH-1G Cobra helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the insertion of assault elements of a Second Republic of Korea Marine Brigade battalion which was engaged in combat operations in Quang Nam Province. Escorting a flight of nine CH-46 transport helicopters, he navigated to the designated area and arrived just as air strikes were being completed on the hostile positions. Undaunted by the heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft, Captain Wickersham boldly maneuvered his gunship on repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable the insertion aircraft to land and disembark the assault team. Throughout the day, he skillfully coordinated his firing runs with that of other supporting aircraft and provided outstanding cover for the landing of supplies and reinforcements as the cordon operation progressed. While covering an advancing platoon late that afternoon, his flight came under intense fire from a well-concealed enemy position. Reacting instantly, Captain Wickersham quickly located the source of hostile fire and aggressively attacked the enemy position, dispersing and killing many of the hostile soldiers who were attempting to ambush the advancing friendly platoon. Captain Wickersham's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

3.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the third Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Frank G. Wickersham, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Two, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 22 October 1969, Captain Wickersham launched as Section Leader of a flight of two AH-1G Cobra helicopters assigned the mission of relieving a section of gunships which were supporting the emergency extraction of a seven-man Marine reconnaissance team which had sustained four casualties while heavily engaged in combat with a numerically superior hostile force in a mountainous area southwest of Thuong Due in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he established contact with the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) and was informed that the beleaguered patrol was under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from two sides and was in danger of being overrun. Undaunted by the extremely adverse weather conditions which shrouded the surrounding mountains and created a low ceiling varying from fifty to one hundred feet above ground level and the heavy volume of hostile fire directed at his aircraft, Captain Wickersham boldly maneuvered his gunship at treetop level on repeated strafing runs and delivered such effective fire that the enemy fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable a reaction force to be inserted. When word was received that the newly inserted force had also sustained casualties and required immediate extraction and the air controller assigned Captain Wickersham to control the rescue efforts, he skillfully coordinated the activities of the friendly ground force, flare ships, a United States Army observation aircraft, and the CH-46 transport helicopters, for the insertion of another reaction force and the final extraction of all the Marines. Despite deteriorating weather conditions and constant exposure to hostile fire, Captain Wickersham completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly maneuvered his gunship at treetop level to direct the rescue efforts and delivered a steady stream of accurate machine gun fire which repulsed enemy assaults, enabling the transport helicopters to enter the precarious area and safely extract all of the Marines. Captain Wickersham's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

4.) No additional information