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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Command Sergeant Major Donald P. Brosnan for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Command Sergeant Major Brosnan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 December 1968 while serving as Sergeant Major with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade on a command and control mission cast of Phuoc Long. While flying in the command and control helicopter, Sergeant Major Brosnan spotted three Viet Cong on a sampan. When the craft flew lower to investigate, it immediately began receiving AK-47 fire. Sergeant Major Brosnan single-handedly directed highly effective fire on the sampan, despite additional hostile automatic weapons fire from the shore of the stream. Completely disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Major Brosnan exposed himself to the hostile fire to engage the enemy as the helicopter made repeated passes, with the end result that the sampan and its occupants were destroyed. Command Sergeant Major Brosnan’s outstanding initiative and devotion to duty are in in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.