Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 4 Line: 42

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Senior Master Sergeant George W. Artuso distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Flight Engineer Advisor to the 33rd Tactical Wing, Vietnamese Air Force, near Tay Ninh on 12 September 1968. On that date, Sergeant Artuso was the Instructor Flight Engineer on an emergency aeromedical evacuation of seriously wounded Vietnamese Army Airborne and United States Army troops from Tay Ninh to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. During the flight to Tay Ninh, excessively high oil temperature on the right engine was encountered which could not be regulated. Sergeant Artuso suggested that the urgent flight be continued and he would attempt emergency repair at Tay Ninh. On arrival at Tay Ninh there was sporadic weapons fire in the vicinity and the nearby city was under rocket and mortar attack. Minimum ground time was important due to the imminent danger of a similar attack on the air base. Sergeant Artuso quickly identified and corrected the malfunction and assisted in loading of the wounded. Through Sergeant Artuso’s skillful action and assistance, ground time was held to a minimum and a safe departure and return flight was made without further complication. As a result of his courageous action and superb professionalism, the medical evacuation mission was accomplished. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Artuso reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.