Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 2 Line: 33

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

While serving in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller from 1968 to 1969, then Captain Bielinski was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for extraordinary achievement (see citations below). He also received the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, and the Vietnamese Order of the Palm. While serving with the California Air National Guard, he was twice awarded the Sikorsky Aircraft Award for life saving missions.

Lieutenant Colonel Barry T. Bielinski graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 1963. As a pilot, while on active duty and with the Air National Guard, he flew many types of aircraft: the F-100 (Super Saber), the KC-135 (Stratotanker), the 0-1 (Bird Dog), and the HH3E (Jolly Green).

In civilian life, Barry had a successful flying career with Trans World Airlines (TWA). He retired as a Captain on the MD-80 aircraft in 2001.

Aviation was his life's work. He brought his spirit, determination, and persistence to all his flying activities.

DFC citations:

Captain Barry T. Bielinski distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller near Bong Son, Republic of Vietnam on 25 May 1968. On that date Captain Bielinski displayed outstanding skill in seeking out and directing the destruction of numerous hostile positions during the course of a major battle. Disregarding his own safety, he braved heavy fire to coordinate the employment of artillery and tactical air power with devastating effectiveness. His professional ability and personal bravery were responsible for saving many friendly lives. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bielinski reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Captain Barry T. Bielinski distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller in the Republic of Vietnam on 24 September 1968. On that date Captain Bielinski controlled an air power mission against a hostile force that was blinding a friendly ground operation. With great determination and courageous acts of heroism Captain Bielinski was able to completely extinguish the terrorists. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bielinski reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.