AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1D

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant William R. Covington for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Lieutenant Covington distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 October 1965 while serving as Pilot on an armed UH-1D helicopter engaged in a medical evacuation in the Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam. At approximately 1430 hours, Lieutenant Covington was informed that a medical evacuation helicopter was downed while attempting to land and evacuate wounded. Lieutenant Covington immediately flew his aircraft to the site. Upon approaching the landing zone, he became exposed to deadly automatic weapons and small arms fire. Although directed to abort the mission by the Captain of the downed craft, Lieutenant Covington dauntlessly landed his helicopter and safely evacuated half of the wounded and one crew member. Lieutenant Covington proceeded to a forward medical element, discharged his passengers and returned to the extraction site. Once again while under a heavy barrage of hostile sniper fire, he successfully landed, loaded the remaining wounded and crew, and safely departed the area under heavy Viet Cong fire. Lieutenant Covington's devotion to duty, courage, and professionalism resulted in the recovery of nine wounded Americans and a helicopter crew. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William R. Covington for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Captain Covington distinguished himself by valorous actions on 17 May 1966, while serving as Pilot of a medical evacuation helicopter when requested to evacuate a number of seriously wounded Americans who had been ambushed by the Viet Cong. Upon arrival at the ambush site, it was learned that the enemy was in the immediate area. With no information from the ambushed convoy, the accompanying armed helicopters were released for strikes on nearby Viet Cong positions. As the armed helicopters made strikes on the insurgent's positions, one of the attacking pilots was seriously wounded forcing the aircraft down approximately 100 meters from the Viet Cong force. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Covington elected to recover the downed crew despite the hazards involved. Once on the ground, under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, Captain Covington monitored the aircraft's instruments for over seven minutes as his crew fought to evacuate the downed crew. Captain Covington's courage and fearless determination were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William R. Covington for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Captain Coving distinguished himself by heroic actions while participating in aerial flight during the period 21 to 22 June 1966, near Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Covington, acting as Aircraft Commander of a medical evacuation helicopter in support of the 101st Airborne Division, volunteered to perform, and successfully completed, six missions to rescue seriously wounded Americans under the most hazardous of conditions. Captain Covington successfully rendezvoused with gunships and evacuated seriously wounded Americans from various pickup sites. During these evacuations, he, his crew, and aircraft were a constant target for enemy fire. Displaying courage, valor and confidence, Captain Covington continued to affect low level, high speed and extremely evasive approaches into the pickup areas, completely disregarding his own safety. In all cases, he successfully completed his missions. Captain Covington was directly responsible for the saving of thirty-two American lives. His successful efforts, under the most hazardous of situations, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William R. Covington for heroism while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary action, above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Covington distinguished himself 6 April 1969 while serving as the Commander of a medical evacuation helicopter during a rescue mission near Dau Tieng. Captain Covington responded quickly to a request from an element of the 1st Infantry Division for a night evacuation of a critically wounded American soldier. As the patient was being lifted to the hovering helicopter, enemy forces directed automatic weapons fire towards the aircraft. The ship took numerous hits, and one round struck Captain Covington in the scalp. The impact dazed him, but he quickly regained his calm and skillfully directed his pilot's departure through the hail of enemy bullets. Through Captain Covington's courage and determination in the face of enemy fire, a wounded American was safely brought to needed medical care. His valorous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.