Charles D. King’s Distinguished Flying Cross citation

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY ACT OF CONGRESS JULY 2, 1926 HAS
AWARDED

THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS

TO

AIRMAN FIRST CLASS CHARLES DUANE KING
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

FOR HEROISM
WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AERIAL FLIGHT

CITATION:

for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Pararescue Specialist in Southeast Asia, on 6 December 1968. On that date, Airman King penetrated heavy anti-aircraft flak to successfully rescue a downed Air Force pilot. When automatic weapons fire pierced his helicopter, Airman King remained in his exposed crew position providing suppressive firepower which enabled his helicopter to locate and retrieve the pilot then return to safety. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Airman King reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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Born: March 29, 1946 in Muscatine, Iowa… Home of record: Muscatine, Iowa… Laotian eyewitness reported years later that King was captured but no information has surfaced since and there are the fate of the F-105 pilot King was attempting to rescue, USAF Maj. Charles R. “Dick” Brownlee, is also uncertain… Also earned an Air Force Cross and the Silver Star… Memorialized at the Courts of the Missing in Honolulu and he has a headstone at Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine, Iowa