AC-130 Gunship Crew Gets Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals for Saving 88 Lives in Battle

Great info for all, thanks for sharing.

In a situation like this where they are all onboard the same aircraft, how do some end up with a DFC and others with an air medal?

I distinctly remember watching a video of a western journalist interviewing a small group, maybe 4, Taliban on the side of a huge hill or a small mountain. They were covered by trees and it was an ambush position overlooking a road in the valley below. It would be impossible to see their position from the dirt road. However, when they heard an AC-130 Gunship they acted like little girls and spread out in many directions. The Taliban said that is the only weapons platform they are afraid of. I don't know much about the AC-130 Gunship, but I will assume, it has thermal imagining capability which allows it to detect enemy on the ground. Maybe someone in the know can tell me if I am right or wrong.