John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Durant
  • FORENAME
Michael J.
  • UNIT
Company D 1 Bn
  • RANK
Chief Warrant Officer Third Class
  • NUMBER
  • AWARD
Distinguished Flying Cross x 2,Bronze star with V device
  • PLACE
Iraq 1991 (DFC) Somalia 1993 (DFC)
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Berlin,New Hampshire
born 23.7.1961 Berlin,New Hampshire
also awarded D.S.M.,M.S.M.,3 Air Medals (1 with "V" device)(dates ?)
joined Army August 1979
470 Military Intelligence Group
377 Medical Evacuation Company
101 Aviation Bn
160 SOAR 1.8.1988
pilot
WIA and POW 3.10.1993 Mogadishu,Somalia
released 14.10.1993
co-author of "In the Company of Heroes" (2003) with Steven Hartov
 

CITATION:

Distinguished Flying Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer Two (CWO-2) Michael J. Durant, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 13 February 1991 while serving as Pilot in Command of a MH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter, Company D, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during Operation DESERT STORM in Southwest Asia. Chief Warrant Officer Durant conducted an escort and strike mission deep in enemy territory under zero illumination at a dangerously low altitude to evade the air defense artillery threat. In spite of extremely hazardous environmental conditions, his courage and determination enabled his crew to flawlessly execute the high risk mission. Chief Warrant Officer Durant's outstanding performance reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Distinguished Flying Cross (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Durant, United States Army, for gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty on 3 October 1993, while serving as a Joint Special Operations Task Force RANGER Flight Lead, Company D, Task Force 1/160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia. After leading his force of four MH-60 Blackhawk Assault Helicopters onto an objective covered by intense enemy fire, Chief Warrant Officer Durant returned to provide overwatch for ground elements as they recovered crewmen and soldiers from a downed aircraft. He persevered, through intense enemy fire until his aircraft was struck by a rocket propelled grenade. Despite severe damage he was able to land the aircraft upright. Chief Warrant Officer Durant's performance reflects great credit upon him and the United States Army.

Prisoner of War Medal : Chief Warrant Officer Three (CWO-3) Michael J. Durant, United States Army, was captured after his MH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter was shot down in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 October 1993, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 14 October 1993.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/29758
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