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The Air Force Cross is
presented to Travis Wofford, Major, U.S. Air Force, for
extraordinary heroism in military operations against an
opposing armed force as a rescue helicopter pilot near Dak
Nay Puey, Republic of Vietnam, on 15 April 1970. On that
date, Major Wofford was engaged in the rescue of a crew of a
United States Army helicopter which was shot down by enemy
ground fire. Although Major Wofford was wounded by enemy
ground fire during two earlier rescue attempts, he chose to
continue with the rescue operations. On the third attempt,
the helicopter was severely damaged by an intense burst of
heavy automatic weapons fire. When the helicopter lost power
and crashed, Major Wofford, with complete disregard for his
personal safety and despite his painful injuries, freed
himself from the wreckage and then attempted to free the
pilot, who was instantly killed on impact. He then observed
the other members of the crew engulfed in flames and, with
sheer determination and a deep concern for his fellow men,
he rushed to their aid, extinguished the flames and then
dragged the aircrew members to a place of safety from which
they were rescued. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb
airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile
forces, Major Wofford reflected the highest credit upon
himself and the United States Air Force.
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