Col. Stephen K. Heywood from Cranston received the Distinguished Flying Cross medal in a ceremony at the Naval War College on Monday, April 25. The award will be presented by Gen. Michael W. Hagee, the Commandant of the Marine Corps who is visiting from Washington, D.C.

Col. Heywood was born in Providence and grew up in Cranston. He attended Cranston East High School and was commission into the Marine Corps in 1982. In January of 2003, while in command of the helicopter squadron HMLA-267, he deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was responsible for more than 400 Marines and 25 aircraft. His squadron was among the first U.S. military units to cross into Iraq and encounter combat operations. Col. Heywood arrived at the Naval War College in August 2004 and will graduate on June 17, 2005.

The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded for heroism in aerial combat. On March 20, 2003, Col. Heywood led a flight of 16 helicopters across the Iraqi border to destroy enemy observations posts. His squadron was among the first to encounter combat operations during the initial phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom.. Col. Heywood is credited for superb airmanship, inspiring courage, and duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions.

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