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Col Jacksel M. Broughton, Air Force Cross: Vietnam Fighter Pilot

Despite serious aircraft malfunctions, marginal weather, and grave damage to his aircraft from an exploding surface-to-air missile, Col. Broughton placed his armament directly on target, scattering fire and debris which illuminated the target for easy acquisition by the following strike force. Disregarding the crippled condition of his aircraft, which minimized his chances for recovery to friendly territory, Colonel Broughten then willfully acted as a decoy to divert hostile aircraft approaching the strikeforce.

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2LT Louis A. Staff, Distinguished Service Cross: Forward Observer For Mortars

Lieutenant Staff and his party were pinned down for hours by heavy enemy fire. Under cover of darkness, Staff evacuated his men into a nearby woods where he evaded enemy patrols all night. The following morning, he succeeded in reestablishing radio contact with the supporting artillery and, at great personal risk, adjusted artillery fire on vital enemy emplacements and troop concentrations.

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Captain, Paul F. McLellan, Navy Cross: Iwo Jima Survivor

Captain McLellan was forced to lead his company when their commander was killed in action. With skill and courage he skillfully led an attack and permitted his company to overrun an enemy strong point near the second airfield and annihilate the Japanese who had previously held up the advance of three Marine divisions. McLellan led the company throughout several other assaults until being seriously wounded himself.

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CPL Ernesto Gomez, Navy Cross: Vietnam War Hero

Gomez, a Crew Chief aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter near the Khe Sanh Combat Base in Vietnam, left his helicopter and rushed across 25 meters of fire-swept terrain to the side of an injured Marine, then selflessly used his own body to shield his comrade from hostile fire and as enemy fire continued, took cover with the casualty in a nearby rocket crater, until both were eventually evacuated.

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Capt. Leon M. Williamson, Navy Cross: Scout Bomber During The Battle of Midway

Williamson, in the face of withering fire from Japanese fighter guns and anti-aircraft batteries, dive-bombed a Japanese aircraft carrier on the night of June 4 and brought his plane back to its base under extremely adverse weather conditions. The following day, after less than four hours’ sleep, he took part in an assault which resulted in the severe damaging of an enemy battleship.

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