AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  CH-53

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John M. Cottam for heroism and extraordinary achievement while serving as a Pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. From 30 January to 21 March 1971, First Lieutenant Cottam participated in Operation Lam Son 719 as Aircraft Commander of a CH-53 transport helicopter and amassed fifty-nine point one flight hours during numerous resupply, insertion, and extraction missions in support of Army of the Republic of Vietnam units whose fire support bases deep in enemy-controlled territory were under heavy pressure and intense fire from large North Vietnamese Army forces. Particularly noteworthy were his heroic actions on 8 March when he launched as Aircraft Commander of the fourth aircraft in a flight of four transports assigned the emergency resupply of three fire support bases. Following the resupply of Fire Support Base Delta I without incident, First Lieutenant Cottam encountered an extremely heavy volume of hostile fire during his approach to a fire-support base. Undaunted, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft through the intense North Vietnamese fire and safely released his critically needed cargo in the drop zone. Despite the heavy volume of enemy anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire directed at his aircraft during two separate sorties to Fire Support Base Sophia II, he skillfully maneuvered his transport to elude the hostile fire and successfully delivered his cargo to the beleaguered friendly unit. First Lieutenant Cottam's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service