If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Attorney honored for heroism during the Vietnam War
Attorney honored for heroism during the Vietnam War
(EXCERPT) Florida litigator Thomas K. Equels, an Army aviator who was honored seven times for heroism during the Vietnam War, has been inducted into the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, an elite society comprised exclusively of war heroes who received the highest honor for military flying. During the course of his service in Vietnam, Equels, managing director of the law firm Holtzman Equels, was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, 15 air medals and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Equels will be inducted into the Distinguished Flying Cross Society during an annual ceremony in San Diego this fall. According to Stanley B. Grey, president of the southeast Florida chapter, the military has only awarded a select few with the cross since its introduction in 1926. Equels' first Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded for a successful rescue mission during the fir... U.S. and friendly nation laws prohibit fully reproducing copyrighted material. In abidance with our laws this report cannot be provided in its entirety. However, you can read it in full today, 13 Aug 2003, at the following URL. (COMBINE the following lines into your web browser.) The subject/content of this report is not necessarily the viewpoint of the distributing Library. This report is provided for your information and discussion. http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlan...1/daily28.html --------------------------- Otis Willie Associate Librarian The American War Library http://www.americanwarlibrary.com |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Otis Willie wrote:
Attorney honored for heroism during the Vietnam War (EXCERPT) Florida litigator Thomas K. Equels, an Army aviator who was honored seven times for heroism during the Vietnam War, has been inducted into the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, an elite society comprised exclusively of war heroes who received the highest honor for military flying. Without demeaning the accomplishments of Mr. Equels, it should be noted that the DFC is number four in the ranking of decorations for heroism that can be awarded for flying--and that it is an award of the USA. For Americans, the sequence is Medal of Honor, Service Cross (Air Force Cross/Navy Cross/Distinguished Service Cross), Silver Star, and then the DFC. Makes one wonder how a self-respecting Army aviator sank so low as to become a lawyer. ;-) Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (ret) ***"When Thunder Rolled: *** An F-105 Pilot Over N. Vietnam" *** from Smithsonian Books ISBN: 1588341038 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
It also should be noted that the DFCS is open to anyone who has earned a DFC
and PAYS THE DUES. I could join, but haven't. I wouldn't consider it a singular recognition, if I did join. More like joining the American Legion or the VFW. -- Les F-4C(WW),D,E,G(WW)/AC-130A/MC-130E EWO (ret) "Ed Rasimus" wrote in message ... Otis Willie wrote: Attorney honored for heroism during the Vietnam War (EXCERPT) Florida litigator Thomas K. Equels, an Army aviator who was honored seven times for heroism during the Vietnam War, has been inducted into the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, an elite society comprised exclusively of war heroes who received the highest honor for military flying. Without demeaning the accomplishments of Mr. Equels, it should be noted that the DFC is number four in the ranking of decorations for heroism that can be awarded for flying--and that it is an award of the USA. For Americans, the sequence is Medal of Honor, Service Cross (Air Force Cross/Navy Cross/Distinguished Service Cross), Silver Star, and then the DFC. Makes one wonder how a self-respecting Army aviator sank so low as to become a lawyer. ;-) Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (ret) ***"When Thunder Rolled: *** An F-105 Pilot Over N. Vietnam" *** from Smithsonian Books ISBN: 1588341038 |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
wrote:
Ed Rasimus wrote: For Americans, the sequence is Medal of Honor, Service Cross (Air Force Cross/Navy Cross/Distinguished Service Cross), Silver Star, and then the DFC. Is there a database or something on the web of USAF fighter pilots who earned each of those medals? I'd be interested in learning more about what the chest full of ribbons on my dad's uniform all meant. Ribbons are worn in order of precedence, from top down and from wearer's right to left in each row--so whatever is on top of your dad's array is the highest decoration received. For USAF types, here's a link: http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0101/medals.html There is a database online for MOH winners, listing lots of details and citations for all the awards. Pretty impressive reading: http://www.cmohs.org/ There's a list of AF Cross recipients at http://www.legionofvalor.com/query_l...ch=Air%20Force but I will certify that it is incomplete. Two AFC recipients that I know personally are not listed: Karl Richter (F-105) and Richard Nagel (C-123). There are probably others. There's a list of AFC recipients from the Vietnam War in one of the appendices of "Stolen Valor"--an excellent book that uncovers a lot of the "wannabes" impersonating as something they aren't. Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (ret) ***"When Thunder Rolled: *** An F-105 Pilot Over N. Vietnam" *** from Smithsonian Books ISBN: 1588341038 |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Ed Rasimus wrote:
wrote: Is there a database or something on the web of USAF fighter pilots who earned each of those medals? I'd be interested in learning more about what the chest full of ribbons on my dad's uniform all meant. Ribbons are worn in order of precedence, from top down and from wearer's right to left in each row--so whatever is on top of your dad's array is the highest decoration received. For USAF types, here's a link: http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0101/medals.html There is a database online for MOH winners, listing lots of details and citations for all the awards. Pretty impressive reading: http://www.cmohs.org/ There's a list of AF Cross recipients at http://www.legionofvalor.com/query_l...ch=Air%20Force but I will certify that it is incomplete. Two AFC recipients that I know personally are not listed: Karl Richter (F-105) and Richard Nagel (C-123). There are probably others. There's a list of AFC recipients from the Vietnam War in one of the appendices of "Stolen Valor"--an excellent book that uncovers a lot of the "wannabes" impersonating as something they aren't. Thanks. I've tried searching the links you provided above and found nothing, so maybe you could explain what "Oak Leaf Cluster" and "first thru tenth to the Oak Leaf Cluster" means in the excerpt below? "The award was won in an Oct. 5, 1966, rescue operation in which Captain Marron was responsible for the rescue of two McDonnell F-4C Phantom crew members shot down over North Vietnam. Next, Captain Marron recieved the first Oak Leaf Cluster to the DFC for heroism in connection with a Dec. 5, 1966, action. The citation read: On that date while engaged in a search and rescue mission for a downed RF-101 pilot, Captain Marron attacked and destroyed a heavy automatic weapons position that was firing at close range on his leader. Without hesitation and at great personal risk, Captain Marron rolled in on the deadly fire in a successful effort to both draw fire to himself and ultimately to completely destroy the hostile gun position. His courage and timely decision undeoubtedly saved the life of his leader. Finally, Captain Marron was awarded the first through tenth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal." -Mike Marron |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"Les Matheson" wrote:
Well, first off more than fighter pilots earned the medal. I was an EWO. Pardon me, Sir. I realize that and was primarily asking about my Dad (who was a fighter pilot). Secondly, I think that is the purpose of the DFCS, to track the award of the medal, because there probably isn't any complete database. Interesting. One would think there would be a complete database, no? -Mike Marron |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Ed Rasimus wrote:
wrote: Thanks. I've tried searching the links you provided above and found nothing, so maybe you could explain what "Oak Leaf Cluster" and "first thru tenth to the Oak Leaf Cluster" means in the excerpt below? An Oak Leaf Cluster is a second (or more) award of the same decoration. Rather than wear multiples of the ribbon, you display the basic (original) ribbon with a bronze OLC. Multiple OLC's are worn with multiples of five being a single silver OLC, depicting five bronze or single OLCs. "The award was won in an Oct. 5, 1966, rescue operation in which Captain Marron was responsible for the rescue of two McDonnell F-4C Phantom crew members shot down over North Vietnam. Small world, isn't it. That rescue is described in Chapter 16 of my book, "Pilots Flying Fighters". The F-4C was Tempest 3 and the crew were Capt. W. R. Andrews and 1st Lt. E. W. Garland. They were shot down in Route Pack V, between the Black and Red Rivers. Andrews was KIA and Garland was recovered. The Jolly Green pilot received the Air Force Cross for the action. I was overhead, capping in a 105. Next, Captain Marron recieved the first Oak Leaf Cluster to the DFC for heroism in connection with a Dec. 5, 1966, action. The citation read: On that date while engaged in a search and rescue mission for a downed RF-101 pilot, Captain Marron attacked and destroyed a heavy automatic weapons position that was firing at close range on his leader. Without hesitation and at great personal risk, Captain Marron rolled in on the deadly fire in a successful effort to both draw fire to himself and ultimately to completely destroy the hostile gun position. His courage and timely decision undeoubtedly saved the life of his leader. Finally, Captain Marron was awarded the first through tenth Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal." The first OLC to his DFC was the second award to him of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Air Medal was usually awarded for "sustained operations" meaning mission count. North Vietnam missions got an air medal for every ten. First through tenth OLC means he would wear two silver OLC's on his basic Air Medal ribbon. Pearls like this response of yours makes it all worthwhile and is why I've remained on this NG (mostly lurking) for all these years. I am going to re-read (no, strike that...I'm going to STUDY) Chapter 16 in your book tonight. Thank you, Major Rasimus. -Mike Marron |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FA: Vietnam The Helicopter War Large HC Book 189p | Disgo | Aviation Marketplace | 0 | February 6th 04 05:19 PM |
Vietnam era F-4s Q | Ed Rasimus | Military Aviation | 87 | September 27th 03 03:59 PM |
Australia tries to rewrite history of Vietnam War | Evan Brennan | Military Aviation | 34 | July 18th 03 11:45 PM |
Trying to make sense of Vietnam air war | Otis Willie | Military Aviation | 0 | July 6th 03 11:13 PM |
Vietnam search to continue to find remains of Waterford pilot | Otis Willie | Military Aviation | 0 | July 2nd 03 10:30 PM |