Officers & Board of Directors
John Whiddon, Chairman of the Board
John Whiddon grew up in England and emigrated to the United States. After college, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Coast Guard. He was assigned to Navy Flight School in Pensacola, FL, and was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1975. He had tours as an HH-3F helicopter pilot at CG Air Stations New Orleans, Kodiak and Astoria where he was also duel qualified in both the H-3 and the HU25 Falcon. He was then assigned to CG Air Station Sitka as Head Aircraft Maintenance. After a CG Headquarters tour, he returned to CG Air Station Kodiak as the Head of Aircraft Maintenance, retiring as a Commander in 1994.
During his Coast Guard career, John was awarded two DFCs for rescue missions in Alaska. The first was for a multi-national rescue effort of 522 passengers from the Holland America Cruise Lines vessel MV Prinsendam which caught fire 120 miles offshore in the Gulf of Alaska. The second award was for the successful night rescue of a fisherman and his six-year-old son in 70 knot winds and 35 foot seas from the fishing vessel Bluebird near Sitka AK. This rescue was the first high seas rescue in the Coast Guard to deploy a rescue swimmer. For that rescue, the crew also were awarded both the Naval Helicopter Association Pilot and Aircrew of the Year, the Association of Naval Aviation Outstanding Achievement Award, the Alaska Medal of Heroism and the Coast Guard Foundation Award.
After retirement from the Coast Guard, John and his family stayed in Kodiak where he owned and operated a commercial fish processing business and subsequently managed other businesses including a Part 135 air service and was one of the founding
members and Executive Director of the Kodiak Economic Development Corporation. He has been engaged in community activities, serving as President of the Kodiak Morning Rotary Club, President of the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, Co-chair of the City/Borough Fisheries Work Group, a Board member of the Alaska Municipal League, and a Governor appointee to the Alaska Civilian Armed Services Team (ACAST). He has been a member of the Kodiak City Council and has served as Deputy Mayor.
John and his wife Lauri live in Kodiak and have three grown sons and 7 grandchildren.
Jamie Damsker, President/CEO
Jamie Damsker had the privilege of serving in the United States Air
Forces as an Instructor Weapon Systems Officer, awarded his
Distinguished Flying Cross in the mighty F-15E over the Balkans during Operation Allied Force, delivering the first-ever Guided Bomb Unit-28 five thousand-pound, precision guided bunker buster employed by an F-15E in combat. He also flew F-4s and F-111s during his military career.
Jamie spent 15 years in strategic consulting for clients in both the public and private sectors. He helped build consulting verticals into multi-million dollar businesses and facilitated international corporate acquisitions. Today, Jamie is a leadership coach and public speaker. He works with leaders across many industries and roles helping them to create themselves as even higher performers in every domain of their lives.
He lives with his amazing bride, sons, and dogs in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry and is humbled to play a role in leading the Distinguished Flying Cross Society as it fulfills upon its mission to honor, preserve, and teach the legacy of our nation’s heroes who earned this award.
Warren Eastman, Executive Vice President
Warren Eastman was commissioned as an AFROTC Honor Graduate at New Mexico State University in 1969 where he was Cadet Wing Commander. An outstanding Graduate of USAF Navigator Training in 1970, he served as a fighter aircraft Weapons System Officer (WSO), flying the F-4 Phantom II in the active duty Air Force, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve, and the F-15 Eagle in the Air Force Reserve. He flew 270 combat missions in the F-4E in two combat tours in the Vietnam War, based at Korat and Udorn, Thailand, awarded two DFCs. He was the first AF Reservist aircrew to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle in flight test and to serve as a Deputy Operations Group Commander/Director of Flight Operations at Edwards AFB. He retired from the AF Reserve in 2000. His civilian career was in aerospace engineering, primarily in flight test at Edwards AFB. He has a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Washington and several technical Masters degrees. Elected to the DFC Society Board of Directors in 2018, he served as the Reunion Committee Chairman for the 2019 Reunion in Dayton OH.
Michael Hays, Secretary
Michael Hays enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to recruit training in November, 1965, and then became an Air Traffic Controller. In February, 1967 he went to Marine Officer Candidate School, followed by Naval Flight School at Pensacola. He was designated a Naval Aviator in March, 1969.
He flew a combat tour in Vietnam from September 1969 - September 1970 as a Squadron Pilot flying the CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter in Marine squadron HMH 463, callsign “Dimmer 14”. He Flew approximately 900+ missions, and was awarded the DFC and 35 Air Medals.
He left the active Marines in August 1971, joining the USMC-Reserve at NAS New Orleans, LA, flying UH1N’s. He remained in the USMC Reserve until his retirement in 1980.
In his civilian career, he was employed by Bell Helicopter International as Primary and Advanced Instructor Pilot in Esfahan, Iran and by Doss Aviation as an Instrument Instructor Pilot at Ft. Rucker, AL. He also worked as a Research Statistician and Program Analyst at Tallahassee/Leon County Human Services Center, Tallahassee, FL, and he has been the owner of various small fiduciary businesses. He has been fully retired since January 2015.
Marty Lenzini, Vice President of Chapter Development
Mr. Lenzini is a Marine Corps Combat Veteran with 47 years’ experience in Aviation and the Defense Industry. He has held a variety of leadership positions within the Marine Corps and
Industry.
Mr. Lenzini retired from the US Marine Corps with the rank of Colonel after a 26-year career. He Commanded both a Squadron and a Marine Aircraft Group and was qualified in the A-4, A-6, EA-6B, A-7 and the F-4 Aircraft. He flew 350 Combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded 4 DFCS and 24 Air medals. He was also active in Research and Development within the Service
as a Development Coordinator for Attack Weapons in the Department of the Navy and a Project Test Pilot for Missile Test and Development at NAS Point Mugu.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Mexico and an Advanced degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey CA. He also a graduate of the Naval War College and the National War College.
Mr. Lenzini worked at Hughes / Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson for 21 years after his service in the Marine Corps. He was a project manager in Advanced Programs and a Senior Program Manager for Air-To-Ground Weapons.
He is currently the President of the Charles M Walling Tucson Chapter of the DFC Society and a Member of the Board of Directors. He is also active in the Friday Pilots and is the Treasurer of Missile Systems Retirees Association.
Pat Owen, Treasurer
Pat earned his BA from the University of California, Irvine CA in May of 1981 in Geography. His military experience includes USMC 1965- 1986 Going from Private to Sergeant, and 2nd Lt. to Lt. Col. Assignments include Air Traffic Controller, AH-1G and AV8A/C pilot. He was assigned to the first Marine Cobra squadron (HML-367) in RVN, and helped stand up the first Marine attack helicopter squadron (HMA-169) in 1972. Transitioning to the AV8A Harrier in 1974, he is the only aviator to serve in the first two attack helicopter squadrons and the first three Harrier squadrons. He finished his military career assigned to the AV8 Program Manager’s office 1984-1986.
His military awards include the DFC, Air medal w/V (4), and 53 strike flight air medals. Between 1987-1990 was the owner/operator of a 600-acre multi crop and cattle operation in Montana and served as the International Affairs Coordinator, Montana Governor’s Office from 1990-1994. Since 1994, Pat was a Financial advisor/First VP, Dean Witter/Morgan Stanley retiring in 2018.
He has served the Marine Corps League since 1992 and has held various minor leadership positions at the detachment level, board member of the Marine Corps League of PA Foundation, board member of the US Marines Youth Foundation and Financial advisor for the Marine Corps League.
He has served as the Treasurer to the Distinguished Flying Cross Society since 2016.
Ron Bartlett, Director
Ron Bartlett graduated with a BA degree in English with minors in math, physics, and chemistry from Waynesburg University. He later earned a Masters Degree in International Relations from Cal State University. Enlisting in the Air Force as an intelligence analyst when drafted in 1968, he then went to Officer Training School in 1970.
After graduating from USAF Navigator Training, he went on to the Electronic Warfare Officer course. Ron was on a SAC combat crew flying in B-52s during Vietnam and later as an instructor Electronic Warfare Officer. He flew nearly 100 combat missions including two over Hanoi, North Vietnam in the Linebacker II Campaign in December 1972. Working in the intelligence community
most of his career, Ron had another flying tour as mission director on our nation’s top airborne reconnaissance platform, the RC-135.
Ron served as commander of an intelligence collection squadron in the Philippines and was selected as the Air Force Fellow for the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA). He ran the Air Force Intelligence Command’s liaison to Strategic Air Command (SAC). Ron commanded the Cryptologic Support Group in the SAC underground command post and during that period supported Desert Storm/Desert Shield on a 24/7 basis. Over the span of his career, he was involved in 32 wars or crises. His last assignment was to the NSA where he was responsible for Support to Military Operations.
After retirement from the USAF in 1995, Ron founded a financial planning firm and was partner with his son in Bartlett Financial in Lexington SC. He retired again at the end of 2017. In 2019 Ron joined the Board of Directors for the Red River Valley Association, the River Rats, and serves as their national Treasurer.
Bob Certain, Director
Robert Certain was born in Savannah, Georgia in December 1947. An alumnus of Bethesda- Chevy Chase High School in Maryland, he attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating in 1969 with a BA degree in History and a regular commission in the US Air Force.
He was trained as a navigator at Mather AFB CA (Class 70-16), then as a radar navigator when complete, before electing to fly B-52Gs at Blytheville AFB AR. As a B-52 navigator he flew 100 missions over Southeast Asia in 1971 and 1972. He was shot down and captured in December 1972; and repatriated when the war ended a few months later. He retired from the Air Force in 1999 at the rank of Colonel. During his career he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (Heroism), Bronze Star (Valor), Purple Heart (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (4 OLC), Prisoner of War Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Since 2007 he served on the Defense Health Board, on its committees on psychological health and medical ethics, and on the DOD Task Force for the Prevention of Suicide by Members of the Armed Forces. He also served on the VA Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War from 2008-2018 and as its chairman for five years. He served on the Board or Directors of the Military Officers Association of America and is currently the national commander of the American Ex- POWs. In 2014 he was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame.
Francisco Costa, Director
Francisco Costa is a highly accomplished aviator, military veteran, and dedicated advocate for the aviation community. Francisco’s military career includes serving as an Airborne Ranger with the 75th Ranger Regiment and a Nightstalker with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), flying the AH-64D Apache and MH-47G Chinook.
Francisco’s distinguished career includes participation in some of the most pivotal missions in modern history, including the operations to eliminate Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role as one of the pilots during the mission that successfully neutralized al-Baghdadi. In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Francisco is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, and the Boeing Rescue Award.
After retiring from the military, Francisco transitioned to the commercial aviation sector, where he serves as a First Officer with Frontier Airlines. Beyond the cockpit, he is the Director of Development for the Latin Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), where his strategic leadership has driven the organization to raise over $2.4 million in scholarships since 2021, directly supporting aspiring aviators and fostering diversity in aviation.
Francisco’s academic accomplishments include dual bachelor’s degrees in Aviation and Interdisciplinary Business Studies, along with an MBA from The College of William & Mary.
As a candidate for national leadership within the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, his vision includes expanding the society’s outreach, fostering connections among members, and ensuring the DFCS continues to serve as a beacon of inspiration and support for heroes past and present.
Byron Gray, Director
Byron Gray is an active-duty officer in the United States Air Force. He was commissioned in 2013 as a ROTC graduate of the University of Colorado. He graduated Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma in July 2015 and completed C-17 initial qualification in March 2016. He has served in various leadership positions at the squadron and wing levels and has had multiple operational deployments.
Most notably, in August 2021 he served as the Chief of Tactics of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. His team prepared crews for 287 missions during Operation Allies Refuge which enabled the transport of 124,000 Afghan Refugees to safety. He was awarded his DFC as the Aircraft Commander and two-ship lead for one of the seven aircraft tasked with the covert Joint Tactical Exfiltration of Kabul in the final day of the Kabul evacuation.
Byron currently serves as the Chief, Next Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS), Strategy, Plans, Requirements, and Programs Directorate, Headquarters Air Mobility Command (AMC), Scott AFB, Illinois. He is responsible for overseeing the 140-person
NGAS Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) team. The NGAS AoA is a Secretary of the Air Force-directed study that will shape requirements and determine the technology development for the NGAS, with an anticipated delivery in the mid-2030s. Before his
current position, Maj. Gray was the Long-Range Branch Chief, Air Refueling Directorate, 618th Air Operations Center, Scott AFB, Illinois.
Byron has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Susan Hayes, Director
Susan Hayes became an Associate Member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society in 2020, continuing the connection with the DFCS begun by her late husband Capt. Jonathan A. Hayes who was awarded five DFCs as an F4-Phantom pilot during the Vietnam War. She has been a major supporter of the OTGA Debriefs, sharing the Society’s desire to capture the stories of our nation’s aviation heroes. She was recognized as an Honorary Member in 2023.
After graduation from college, Susan realized her desire to “see the world” by serving in the Peace Corps. Returning to the United States, she pursued a graduate degree in international business which led to a 27-year career in international and corporate banking. She was responsible for business development and lending with large corporate and middle market clients.
She left the banking world for a brief career in the fundraising world as a prospect researcher before retiring with Jonathan to live in her hometown.
Jim Markel, Director
Jim Markel spent 7 Years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps and 3 years in the Ready Reserve. He was a “Mustang” (former enlisted) and went from being a PFC in a 105MM Howitzer Battery to a Captain/Flight Leader in an All-Weather F-8 Crusader Squadron in Five Years.
He holds an ATP with 10-Jet Type Ratings ranging from the Learjet to the Boeing 747. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering Aviation Safety Management Course and a long-term member and active contributor to the Flight Safety Foundation, Experimental Aircraft Association, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, and F-8
Crusader Association.
Jim chaired fund-raising committees for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation, Little League, & United Way. His Corporate Boards history includes GE Capital’s Corporate Aircraft Advisory Board and a two-term Chairman of the National Aircraft Resale Association (International Aircraft Dealers Association). He also was elected Commodore of The Marin Yacht Club after eight years’ service as a Director & Committee Chairman.
He is the recipient of Distinguished Flying Cross, Five Air Medals, and Presidential Unit Citation. The FAA recognized him with the Wright Brothers Master Pilots Award.
Patricia McFetridge, Director
Captain “Patti Mac” graduated from San Jose State University in 1981 with a degree in Aeronautical Operations. She began her flying career in Army’s Warrant Officer Flight Training program.
In 1989, she joined the U. S. Coast Guard as a Direct Commission Aviator. At Kodiak, Alaska she primarily flew search and rescue (SAR) missions. Assignments include Clearwater, Florida flying in support of drug/migrant interdiction operations throughout the
Caribbean; Los Angeles, California flying in support of SAR and law enforcement (LE); Elizabeth City, North Carolina as a duty standing pilot and the Assistant EO, flying the HC-130H airplane in support of SAR, LE, and drug interdiction missions throughout the Caribbean and South America, and the International Ice Patrol mission; Borinquen, Puerto Rico as a qualified pilot, EO, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer flying the MH-65B/C/D in support of SAR, LE, and drug/migrant interdiction missions.
In Washington, DC. She was the Chief of Logistics and Engineering for the Deployable Operations Group, responsible for 27 Deployable Specialized Forces in support of significant national security & oil spill events; Project Manager for the $1 Billion Rescue 21 installation to replace the aging legacy National Distress System throughout the U. S. and its territories. She currently serves as the Coast Guard’s liaison to the Federal Aviation Administration.
She is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Army & Coast Guard Commendation Medals, Achievement Medals, inter alia. She pursued a Master’s in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earned her Master’s in Quality Systems Management from the National Graduate School.
Phil Osterli, Director
Phil was born in Visalia, California (a second generation Californian) in August 1940, graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy in January 1963, receiving an ROTC commission in the USAR. After a delay to attend graduate school, he entered active duty January 1, 1966. Upon completion of flight school was assigned to the 335 th Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam, serving as an armed helicopter pilot, aircraft commander, and platoon commander January 1-December 24,
1967, compiling 586 combat hours (195 missions), earning a DFC, Air Medal (20 OLC), ARCOM, Presidential and Meritorious Unit citations, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Service recognition.
After a year as a Tactics Instructor Pilot, he left active duty to return to graduate school at UC Davis, completing a Master of Science in Plant Genetics prior to accepting an academic position with the University of California Agricultural Extension, serving 16 years as a vegetable and row crop advisor, followed by another 16 years in administration; participating on committees and serving in leadership positions in the appropriate academic and professional societies/organizations, retiring after 32+ years of service in 2002, receiving Emeritus status. In 1969, he joined CALARNG part time (later USAR) serving in various flying, command and staff positions, retiring in 2000 at the rank of Colonel.
After retirement he and Linda moved to Poulsbo WA, cruising the Pacific Northwest in “Nordic Spirit”, and served as Commodore of Poulsbo Yacht Club, Trustee of Recreational Boaters of Washington, President of District 1 Blue Gavel, and Trustee of the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Lodge during their 18 years in residence.
He is a Life Member of DFCS, MOAA, VHPA, VFW, currently resides in SaddleBrooke, AZ and is an active member of the Charles M. Walling Chapter in Tucson and the Friday Pilots. He and Linda enjoy the active retired lifestyle as well as visiting family (6 kids, 14
grandkids) and friends scattered around the country.
Randy Thurman, Director
Randy Thurman graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with BA Economics degree and was later named Virginia Tech Distinguished Graduate. He also received a MA degree in Management from Webster University and he is a graduate of the Wharton Corporate Governance Program.
Randy served as a USAF pilot from 1971 to 1977, flying over 140 FAC missions in Vietnam and Cambodia. He was awarded the DFC, 8 Air Medals, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Randy later served as a class commander and standardization/evaluation pilot in the allied Middle East advanced jet training program. Randy graduated from the USAF Air Command and Staff College; Squadron Officers School and USAF SERE School. He later flew in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He is a licensed Airline Transport Pilot and U.S. Coast Guard Captain.
After his USAF service, Randy went on to a highly distinguished career as a corporate executive, primarily in life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. Randy has been the President, Rhone-
Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chairman and CEO, Corning Life Sciences Inc., and Founder, Chairman and CEO, VIASYS Healthcare Inc. Currently, he is Executive Chairman, Outlook
Therapeutics Inc.; Director, uMethod Health Inc.; Vice Chairman, Syntone Biotech. Randy serves on the board of the Villanova University Law School and Scarpa Center for Entrepreneurialism and Law.
Randy and his wife, Karen, reside in suburban Philadelphia along with their 3 children and 7 grandchildren. He and his wife are founders of The Giving Tree Foundation which primarily supports charitable organizations in South Africa and the greater Philadelphia community.
Daren Sorenson, Director
Daren Sorenson was born in Madison Wisconsin in January, 1971. He grew up in the mid-west, in a small town, south of St Louis Missouri. He graduated from St. Louis University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and was a Distinguished Graduate from ROTC in 1993.
Daren attended pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Texas in 1996 and was a Distinguished Graduate from his class and went on to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle for the remainder of his career. He accumulated over 2,500 hours in the F-15E and graduated from the USAF Weapons School in 2002. His operational assignments included the 494th Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath, UK and the 335th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC.
He deployed to combat eight different times in support of Operation Allied Force, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003, then Captain Sorenson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while flying over Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Eight years later in 2011, now Lt Col Sorenson was again awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while flying over Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lt Col Sorenson served as Commander, 17th Weapons Training Squadron at the USAF Weapons School from 2009 to 2011. Lt Col Sorenson’s last combat deployment was as Deputy Operations Group Commander at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. Daren retired from active duty in 2014 from Nellis AFB, NV and moved to San Diego, CA to pursue a second career in the defense industry.
John Williams, Director
John Williams was born in Freeport, Texas and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. John joined the Army as an Airborne Infantryman in 1994. During his first tour of duty, he applied and got accepted to Warrant Officer Flight School to become a pilot. John began flying UH-60 Blackhawks in the 82 nd Airborne where he was deployed to Bosnia for Operation Joint Forge. John then joined the Special Operations Aviation community flying armed Blackhawks at Ft Campbell, KY in 1 st BN, 160 th (SOAR). John moved on to Ft Eustis, VA where he continued to support the Special Operations community serving as a Flight Lead, Standardization Instructor Pilot, SQDN XO, Combat Mission Commander, and Director of Aviation Maintenance. In all, John has 31 combat tours to multiple continents, awarded two DFC’s while taking offensive actions against the Taliban to protect the ground force.
Retiring in November 2021, John is still an active pilot conducting flight testing and FAA certifications for Defense Industry and OEM manufacturers of aircraft. John also has flown in the TV series, “Lioness”, created by Taylor Sheridan of Yellowstone notoriety and a couple of TV commercials.
John joined the DFC Society in 2023 and has taken an interest in being involved in leadership positions within the community by attending Reunion planning meetings. John currently lives in Sarasota, Florida.
Woody Gilliland, Chairman Emeritus
Woody Gilliland entered healthcare administration as a second career in 1991 and has served as the President/CEO of hospital’s in Gainesville, Georgia; Lewisburg, Tennessee and Abilene, Texas. He currently serves as the President of the West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation, an endowment supporting pediatric and adult rehabilitation patients.
Woody retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a Colonel following a 26-year career. He held a number of Command and Staff positions and accumulated more than 4,000 flight hours. He served two tours in Vietnam, first as an infantry platoon commander then a subsequent tour as a Marine Aviator.
He is a graduate of West Texas State University and completed an MBA from Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia while attending the National War College, Washington, D.C.
Woody is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives; the USMC Combat Helicopter Association; the Marine Corps League; the Marine Corps Aviation Association and M.O.A.A. He serves as a Commissioner, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission.
J. Bruce Huffman, Chairman Emeritus
J. Bruce Huffman recently finished his term as the Chairman of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society on Dec 31, 2020.
While attending Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA Bruce joined the U.S. Army in 1967 for the Warrant Officer Flight Training Program (WORWAC). He received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant during his Viet Nam tour.
J. Bruce Huffman recently finished his term as the Chairman of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society on Dec 31, 2020.While attending Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA Bruce joined the U.S. Army in 1967 for the Warrant Officer Flight Training Program (WORWAC). He received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant during his Viet Nam tour.
Serving as both a lift pilot and an aero scout team leader with Charlie Troop 1/9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Div. (AM), he was awarded the DFC, Bronze Star, Air Medal w/V (3 OLC), 22 Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal w/V (1 OLC), and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Bruce left active duty in the 1970’s but continued to serve during 25 years of continuous aviation service in the National Guard and Army Reserve; he retired in 1998, after 31 years in uniform, with the rank of Colonel. In his civilian career he lived in Iran with his young family, while instructing in AH-1J Cobras, for Bell Helicopter. He later served and retired from the IBM Corporate Flight Department. He also served as the early Managing Director of NetJets Europe, in Lisbon, and he would go on to lead several corporate flight departments. Presently, he is the founder and President of Flight Assurance LLC. His undergraduate degree is from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Professional Aeronautics, and he holds a Masters degree in Instructional & Performance Technology from Boise State University. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and a number of military and veteran’s organizations.
Serving as both a lift pilot and an aero scout team leader with Charlie Troop 1/9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Div. (AM), he was awarded the DFC, Bronze Star, Air Medal w/V (3 OLC), 22 Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal w/V (1 OLC), and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Bruce left active duty in the 1970’s but continued to serve during 25 years of continuous aviation service in the National Guard and Army Reserve; he retired in 1998, after 31 years in uniform, with the rank of Colonel.
In his civilian career he lived in Iran with his young family, while instructing in AH-1J Cobras, for Bell Helicopter. He later served and retired from the IBM Corporate Flight Department. He also served as the early Managing Director of NetJets Europe, in Lisbon, and he would go on to lead several corporate flight departments. Presently, he is the founder and President of Flight Assurance LLC.
His undergraduate degree is from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Professional Aeronautics, and he holds a Masters degree in Instructional & Performance Technology from
Boise State University. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and a number of military and veteran’s organizations.
Michael O'Neil, President Emeritus
Michael was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He joined the United States Navy at age seventeen and served four years from 1962 through 1966. He joined the United States Army in 1967.
After basic training and AIT, Michael graduated from Infantry Officer Candidate School in 1968 as a commissioned Second Lieutenant. He then earned his Army helicopter flight wings in 1969 and transitioned to AH-1G Cobra helicopter. He deployed in February 1970, to D/227 AHB – Lai Khe, 3 Corps Republic of Vietnam and finished his Vietnam tour with F Troop 1/9 Cav. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions on 1 May 1970, in the Republic of Cambodia. Michael accumulated 1,250 combat flying hours in the AH-1G Cobra helicopter.
After Vietnam, he deployed to Italy as XO of the 6th Aviation Detachment in Vicenza, Italy. After ten (10) years of service, Michael resigned his commission in 1972, to become a test pilot for the Shah of Iran with Agusta Bell in Tehran, Iran.
Michael returned to the United States in 1975 and attended Worcester State University in Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies. During the next 20 years he was an entrepreneur in retail and wholesale businesses.
Michael moved to San Diego, California in 1995 and joined the Distinguished Flying Cross Society in 1996. He attended their 1st reunion in San Diego and worked closely with the Society’s founder, Al Ciurczak, and its founding members. Jack Mates was the first Chairman of the Board and mentor to Michael, they worked together in bringing the Society into the electronic world and implemented the first electronic record keeping of members; created the first website, edited the DFCS Newsletter, and organized reunions. Michael also worked closely with Chuck Sweeney, and Ruth Mayer, American Master Artist, on a DFC painting while President of The Society. This painting now hangs in the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Michael served nine years on the Board as Vice President and President, and he was Chairman of Membership. He was honored to be named President Emeritus in 2010 and presently serves on the Reunion
Committee.
Michael ran a successful real estate brokerage house in San Diego, CA from 2000 - 2020.
Michael moved to Florida with his wife of fifty years, Beverley. We have lived all over the United States and traveled extensively. We have a daughter, Dawn Marie, two beautiful grandchildren, Kendyll and Alec, and a great-grandson, Waylon. Our son, Tim, passed away in 2020. We are enjoying our retirement completely.
Chuck Sweeney, President Emeritus
Chuck Sweeney was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from St Josephs University. Following two years in the Defense Industry, Chuck entered the Navy in 1958 as an Aeronautical Engineer. While at Patuxent River, Maryland he got the urge to fly and joined carrier aviation. Chuck’s began flying S-2E aircraft from CVS-10. He received his MS in Aeronautical Engineering at Monterey, and subsequently transitioned to jets, ultimately flying the A-4F with VA-22. His tour with VA-127 was shortened by a deployment with VA-212 as Executive Officer where he was awarded three DFCs in one week while flying strikes against North Vietnam followed by two tours on COMNAVAIRPAC Staff split by two years on the USS Constellation as Strike Operations Officer.
Retiring in 1980, Chuck served 22 years in the Defense Industry working mostly on advanced programs/systems primarily at General Dynamics and BAE Systems where he retired in 2004.
He joined the DFC Society in 2001 and since then he has been deeply involved with the organization as Vice President and President of the Lindbergh Chapter and on the Board of Directors. He was involved with the Conventions in 2006 -2019. He has spearheaded the Oral History Program, the DFC Book and branding and has been President and CEO for the past eleven years. Chuck currently lives in Coronado, CA.
Al Ciurczak, Founder
9 Mar 1921 - 7 Feb 2006
Al enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a private in 1938 when he was seventeen and retired years later as a Captain. He saw action during World War II as an aerial gunner and combat cameraman flying in B-24’s with the 11th Air Force in the Aleutian Islands.
He flew 36 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on two occasions for heroism in aerial flight. One of his DFCs was awarded for helping to save his B-24 from crashing after the copilot was hit in the face by a Japanese shell and the copilot was hit in the arm and Al tended to the copilot after pulling him out of his seat.
He received a direct commission during the Korean War and spent his last ten years in the Air Force as a Producer/Director and then continued after retirement as a Producer/Director for the Air Force for many years winning awards and producing training films. After retiring for the second time, he spent his time building his house in Capistrano Beach and started looking into locating an organization that was dedicated to the DFC.
Unable to locate any such organization, Al commenced the enormous task of founding the DFC Society. He started out with ads in various magazines as well as a handwritten letter campaign and finally contacted several people who helped him with his quest. After much hard work, the IRS on June 6, 1994, gave its approval for a non-profit, tax free veterans organization to The Distinguished Flying Cross Society. Of course, this was just the beginning of the work but without Al’s tenacity and dedication, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
