BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT   REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM   16 APRIL 1972   For heroism while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam.  CW2 Michael T. Koone, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 April 1972 while serving as pilot aboard a UH-1H command and control aircraft for an air cavalry team operating in the Que Son Valley, approximately 30 miles south of DaNang.  The air cavalry team had located a large NVA force that had forced several ARVN elements to withdraw earlier in the day.  The AH-1G gunships engaged and expended their armament on the hostile positions and departed for rearming, and CW2 Koone’s aircraft remained on station to maintain vigilance of the enemy.  The aircraft was struck by a large round of unknown type, which immediately ignited a fire in the cargo compartment of the aircraft.  The fire spread rapidly and CW2 Koone was able to unfasten the fire extinguisher and pass it to the crew chief.  CW2 Koone attempted to direct the crew chief to suppress the fire.  The flames continued to spread throughout the aircraft; the intensity of the heat became unbearable, and some of the recon element began climbing into the cockpit area trying to escape the flames.  This made control of the aircraft almost impossible as they were interfering with the flight controls.  CW2 Koone aided the aircraft commander in maintaining control of the aircraft and successfully removed the individual off of the cyclic and collective.  The flames and heat became so intense that four members of the recon element jumped to their death from the aircraft.  CW2 Koone continued to aid the aircraft commander in maintaining control of the aircraft and provided him with vital observation and instructions, which were extremely essential, because there  was no forward visibility.  He also advised him of estimated altitudes, which enabled the aircraft commander to decelerate the aircraft and cushion it onto the ground softly enough that crewmembers, and the remaining member of the element sustained only minor injuries.  CW2 Koone’s outstanding devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army