10/06/2026
10 June 1968: Gallant actions by FLGOFF Mac Cottrell lead to immediate awarding of Distinguished Flying Cross and later US Silver Star
Did you know that on this day in 1968, FLGOFF Macauley Cottrell performed gallant actions as a Forward Air Controller that were recognised with the immediate awarding of a Distinguished Flying Cross and the US Silver Star?
Macaulay (Mac) Cottrell was born and educated in Launceston, Tasmania. After initially working with the Department of Civil Aviation in Tasmanian, he joined the RAAF in October 1963 to complete No. 52 Pilots Course at No. 1 Basic Flying Training School, RAAF Base Point Cook, and No. 1 Applied Flying Training School, RAAF Base Pearce. Graduating from pilot training in March 1965, he was posted to RAAF Base Williamtown for conversion to Sabre fighter aircraft at No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit. For the next six years he flew Sabres with No’s 76, 3, 79 and 77 Squadrons and Mirages with No’s 76 and 75 Squadrons, operating from RAAF Bases at Williamtown, Darwin and Butterworth and the Royal Thai Air Force Base Ubon in Thailand.
From April to October 1968, Cottrell was assigned to the United States 7th Air Force in the Republic of South Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller serving in Ill Corps with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron. Completing in-country conversion on the Cessna O-1E Bird-Dog at the 504th Theatre Indoctrination School at Phan Rang, RVN, he was assigned to the US Army 3rd Brigade 1st Infantry Division at Lai Khe, RVN.
On this date in 1968, he distinguished himself with gallantry in a mission as a Forward Air Controller directing fighter aircraft near Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam. In deteriorating conditions forcing him to fly at treetop level at times, constantly under heavy enemy ground fire, he successfully controlled air strikes which destroyed a well-fortified enemy base camp. The poor weather involved smoke, fog and rain. Meanwhile, Cottrell remained on target for over three hours expending all his munitions and almost all his fuel. For this action, he received an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his gallantry and airmanship the mission.
Cottrell returned to Australia completing 526 flying hours and controlling 217 airstrikes using the callsign Sidewinder34.
He completed a long career spanning 47 years with various appointments including several command positions retiring in May 2011 as a Group Captain.
Cottrell was presented the US Silver Star for his actions on 10 June 1968. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded by the United States. Of the more than 23,000 Silver Stars awarded in Vietnam, only six recipients have been members of the Australian military.
The Silver Star Citation read: “The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Air Force Award) to Flying Officer Macaulay Cottrell, Royal Australian Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Forward Air Controller directing fighter aircraft near Lai Khe, Republic of Vietnam on 10 June 1968. On that date, Flying Officer Cottrell disregarded an environment of intense hostile ground fire and adverse weather conditions to successfully pinpoint the unfriendly positions for combat support missions. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Flying Officer Cottrell has reflected great credit upon himself and the Royal Australian Air Force.”
The US Charge d’Affaires in Australia, Michael Goldman, presented the award to GPCAPT (retd) Mac Cottrell in a ceremony in Canberra on 14 December 2021.
In all, 36 RAAF pilots served in various USAF units in Vietnam between 1966 and 1970 performing the dangerous task of Forward Air Controller. They all served with distinction with many awarded either the Distinguished Flying Cross or the Distinguished Service Order. Despite the risky nature of their missions, all survived their tours in Vietnam. Meanwhile, the USAF lost 224 FAC aircrew at a loss rate of ten percent.
Image courtesy of AFA
