Moody Airmen earn DFC

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  General William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, recognized six Moody Airmen here May 20 for their extraordinary achievements by presenting them the Distinguished Flying Cross, with Valor, America's oldest military aviation award.

More than 80 years ago, Congress authorized the Distinguished Flying Cross to be awarded to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.

Previous recipients include Charles Lindbergh and Gen. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold. Two of the Moody pilots awarded the medal reflected on the mission that earned them the DFC.

One of them, Capt. Evan Roth, 41st Rescue Squadron flight commander, describes the night they rescued their British allies.

"It was later in the evening and we got a call that a British soldier was badly injured and the rest of his team couldn't leave until we got him out. During our first two attempts to get to the soldier, we came under some pretty intense gunfire, so we had to pull back. We called and got some assistance from the (AH-64) Apaches that were in the area. On the third attempt we were able to land and our wingmen were providing protection for us," he said. "They were able to position themselves between us and the enemy and confuse them, which allowed us to land and pick up the injured soldier. Luckily, no one got hurt and we were able to go and rescue not only that guy, but another soldier as well."

Captain Roth wasn't alone that night. He had help from his wingman, Capt. Daran Gaus, 41st Rescue Squadron assistant director of operations and co-pilot in the helicopter assisting Captain Roth that mission.

"We were at an airfield in Afghanistan when we got a medical evacuation call for some British service members who were separated from the unit, and one was critical. They couldn't leave until we got the injured soldier out. The second aircraft in our formation was sent in to do the pickup. As soon as we arrived we started getting shot at. We had to egress and coordinated with some Apaches in the area...we tried to go in a second time but received fire again. The third time we went in we managed to get the guy out," said Captain Gaus. "The crew worked really well together. You think a situation like that would be particularly frightening, but it was amazing how professional everyone was. They were just doing their job and doing it well."

Master Sgt. Jerrod Morse is an aerial gunner and was part of the task force that conducted that night's mission, and he also received a medal for his extraordinary efforts in saving the British soldiers' lives. He helped direct the pilots through several countermeasures and avoid incoming fire. He displayed extreme fire discipline, which was critical because there were 160 British troops in the immediate area that had stopped their mission until the injured soldier could be extracted.

Major Charles McMullen, Capt. Nathan Dennen and Senior Airman Brett Taylor also received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their heroic efforts on a separate mission.

"They don't call themselves heroes; they say they were just doing their job," said General Fraser. "But what they did that day was huge! I'm honored to serve with them."