Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

Vermillion, Steven D.  CWO2

United Stats Army

45^th Medical Company

68^th Medical Group

44^th Medical brigade

 

28 October 1969

 

Republic of Vietnam

 

By the direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 2 July 1926

 

For heroism, while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam:  Chief Warrant Officer Vermillion distinguished himself while commanding a helicopter ambulance during a rescue mission west of Tan Tru.  He and his crew had been requested to evacuate four Vietnamese children wounded in a firefight between enemy elements and a friendly ranger team.  When Warrant Officer Vermilion arrived over the conflict area, the ranger team feared an imminent rocket attack and asked that he coordinate helicopter gunships in placing suppressive fire on suspected enemy positions until the wounded children were evacuated.  Having directed the gunships in repeated strafing runs on the enemy, Warrant Officer Vermillion then flew his rescue aircraft into the friendly unit’s position without the use of landing lights and began the loading of the wounded.  Almost immediately after landing, the air ambulance came under intense fire from the enemy force.  Warrant Officer Vermillion, nevertheless, calmly maintained his aircraft on the ground until all the children were boarded and then lifted off amid continuing hostile fire.  Once the wounded had been delivered to medical facilities and his aircraft had been refueled, Warrant Officer Vermillion flew back to the conflict area and assisted in extracting the besieged ranger team Chief Warrant Officer Vermillion’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.