Wayne Wilson The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to: CORPORAL WAYNE L. WILSON UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS   For service as set forth in the following CITATION: “For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operation against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.  During the early morning hours of 11 June 1970, Corporal Wilson launched as an Aerial Gunner aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of Marines, Popular Forces soldiers, and civilians from Phu Thonh which was under vicious mortar and small arms fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force surrounding the hamlet.  Arriving over the designated location, he found the hamlet to be in flames and learned from a small Marine Combined United Pacification Program Team on the ground that hostile soldiers were roaming the streets, hurling hand grenades at random, and that casualties were mounting rapidly.  Unable to locate a suitable landing zone within the beleaguered areas, the pilot commenced an approach to a narrow bridge just north of the hamlet, and the enemy, sensing his intention, turned mortars and machine guns in that direction, effectively saturating the area with fire.  Reacting instantly, Corporal Wilson fearlessly delivered intense machine gun fire at the hostile positions to suppress the enemy fire.  During the two minutes required to embark the casualties while approximately thirty mortars and a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire impacted in proximity to the transport, he resolutely maintained his dangerously exposed position ad steadfastly continued his determined efforts to protect the wounded men, until all were aboard and the helicopter was safely out of range of the hostile fire.  On four successive occasions that night and with complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Wilson unhesitatingly accompanied his pilot into the same dangerous zone, heedless of the fact that the North Vietnamese Army soldiers delivered withering fire directly at his aircraft.  His Heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several fellow Marines and numerous Vietnamese Civilians.  Corporal Wilson’s courage, selfless efforts, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”   FOR THE PRESIDENT, WILLIAM K. JONES LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC