Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 1 Line: 63

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to Warrant Officer Wallace F. Poteete for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. On 28 September 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as aircraft commander on a UH-ID helicopter on a command and control mission for elements of the Americal Division, he received an emergency call for assistance in evacuating seriously wounded soldiers. With the landing zone reported under heavy fire, he began the approach. The aircraft began receiving hostile fire during the final approach, and the crew returned suppression fire on the enemy positions.

After successfully completing the approach and landing, the wounded soldiers were picked up. He departed the landing zone, using evasive maneuvers to avoid enemy positions and automatic weapons fire. The evacuation was completed and the wounded were safely transported to a hospital.