William F. Andrews First 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

CAPTAIN WILLIAM F. ANDREWS, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

FOR HEROISM
WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AERIAL FLIGHT

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain William F. Andrews, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight during military operations against the armed forces of the Republic of Iraq, Baghdad, on 23 January 1991. On that date, while acting as the package commander of a composite force strike package targeted against the Fallujah SCUD surface-to-surface assembly missile plant and Habbaniyah Military Product Facility located 25 nautical miles southwest of Baghdad, Captain Andrews successfully coordinated and directed the package attack and employed his F-16 to destroy or heavily damage elements of this vital military industrial complex. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Andrews attacked his assigned target which was defended by heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire as well as surface-to-air missiles. During the target area ingress no less than six surface-to-air missiles were launched at the strike package. This courageous attack reduced Iraq’s capability to produce and launch SCUT surface-to-air missiles toward Israel and Saudi Arabia. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Andrews reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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One of two pilots awarded the Air Force Cross during Operation DESERT STORM… Also awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses… Retired as colonel in 2010… Died: June 8, 2015