An Cosantóir

62 trapped boy while the helicopter maintained its position within a few feet of the waterfall face. 13th May 1977 – Alouette III The Distinguished Service Medal with Distinction 0.8136 Commandant Patrick O'Shea For exceptional leadership and a high de- gree of courage. Commandant O'Shea, as a helicopter pilot, effected the rescue of two trapped men from a cliff face at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, on the 13th of May 1977. In doing so, he displayed exceptional flying skill and courage by manoeuvring the helicopter to within a few feet of the cliff face and over- hanging trees. 820659 Sergeant Richard Murray Sergeant Richard Murray, while acting as a helicopter winch operator in the rescue of two trapped men from a cliff face at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, on the 13th of May 1977 in very difficult conditions, displayed a high degree of courage and resource. The success of the operation and the rescue of the two men was due to the efforts of the helicopter crew as a team of which Sergeant Murray was a mem- ber. 827033 Airman David Byrne Airman David Byrne displayed a high degree of courage and resource in the rescue of two men at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow on the 13th of May 1977. As a member of a helicopter crew, he descended from the helicopter under extremely difficult conditions, necessitating going through an overhanging tree, and effect- ed the rescue of the two men while the heli- copter maintained position within feet of the cliff face. 1st August 1977 – Alouette III The Distinguished Service Medal with Honour 0.8136 Commandant Patrick O'Shea For exceptional leadership and outstanding courage Comdt. O'Shea, as helicopter pilot, ef- fected the rescue of two people from Muckish Mountain, Co. Donegal, on the 1st of August 1977. The rescue was effected during the hours of darkness and with the cooperation of a second helicopter, using the landing lights of both craft. The rescue operation necessitated maintaining his helicopter in a hazardous po- sition within feet of the mountain side and in doing so Comdt. O'Shea displayed exceptional flying skill and courage. 818926 Sergeant William Byrne Sgt. William Byrne, while acting as a helicopter winch operator in the rescue of two persons at Muckish Mountain, Co Donegal, on the 1st of August 1977 in hazardous conditions, dis- played a high degree of courage and resource. The success of the operation and the rescue of the persons involved was due to the efforts of the helicopter crew of which Sgt. Byrne was a member. 829506 Airman Owen Sherry Airman Owen Sherry while acting as a helicop- ter winch operator in the rescue of two per- sons at Muckish Mountain, Co Donegal, on the 1st of August 1977. As a member of the heli- copter crew he descended from the helicopter twice under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions, aided only by the landing lights of the supporting helicopter, and effected the rescue showing complete disregard for his own personal safety. The Distinguished Service Medal with Distinction 0.8408 Captain Donal Loughnane For exceptional leadership, initiative and resource. As a helicopter pilot, Captain Loughnane assisted in the rescue From Muckish Mountain, Co. Donegal, on the 1st of August 1977. Initially, he located the stranded people as darkness fell, and subsequently, having guided the rescue helicopter to the area, he positioned his helicopter and focused his landing light on the stranded people there- by enabling the rescue helicopter to effect the rescue. In the course of this manoeuvre, he displayed courage and flying skill of a high order, and without his efforts the rescue would not have been possible. The Distinguished Service Medal with Merit 830425 Airman Richard O'Sullivan Airman Richard O'Sullivan displayed a high degree of courage and resource in assisting in the rescue of two persons at Muckish Moun- tain, Co. Donegal on the 1st of August 1977. As a member of a helicopter crew, he assist- AIR CORPS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALS

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