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Maj T. Klingensmith awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

July 11, 2004 (by rioal) - Major Thomas P. Klingensmith distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as F-16 Pilot, 466th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 410th Air Expeditionary Wing near north of lake Tar Tar in central Iraq on 2 April 2003.
On that date, Major Klingensmith expertly conducted counter tactical ballistic missile as well as emergency close air support. While accomplishing this task, he risked his life and demonstrated unflappable courage to save coalition ground troops engaged in an imminent overrun situation.

Upon establishing a communication link, the coalition ground team advised him of the current situation which included one friendly killed in action, three wounded personnel, their position surrounded with escape routes severed and taking fire from hostile forces from all directions. Using the mere presence of his F-16, Major Klingensmith flew over the area at low altitude multiple times, creating a diversion for the team.

He expertly employed the Litening II Targeting Pod to verify relative troop positions and prevent a catastrophic friendly fire incident. Initially he targeted a military vehicle and associated personnel attempting to overrun friendly ground forces a "Direct Hit."

Low on fuel, his flight handed off the engagement area to a flight of F-16 aircraft and proceeded off station. Arriving back on station, he quickly regained control of the situation.

Familiarity with the battlefield allowed him to engage the enemy in minimum time. He executed another textbook GBU-12 attack, targeting a staging area used to feed forces into the assault.

Major Klingensmith personally prevented the probable overrun and total loss of a coalition ground team, killed twenty to thirty enemy personnel while simultaneously destroying two military vehicles as well as a shelter occupied by enemy forces. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Klingensmith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in combat in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The decoration may also be given for an act performed prior to that date when the individual has been recommended for, but has not received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Distinguished Service Medal.

The Distinguished Flying Cross, was authorized by an Act of Congress of July 2, 1926, an act amended by Executive Order 7786 on January 8, 1938. It was awarded first to Captain Charles Lindbergh, of the U.S. Army Corps Reserve, for his solo flight of 3600 miles across the Atlantic in 1927.

During wartime, members of the Armed Forces of friendly foreign nations serving with the United States are eligible for the D.F.C. It is also given to those who display heroism while working as instructors or students at flying schools.