AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Bruce W. Dando, First Lieutenant, Transportation Corps, United States Army, 162d Assault Helicopter Group, 11 th Combat Aviation Battalion, for heroism, while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam: First Lieutenant Dando distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on the night of 29 April 1966 while serving as pilot of a helicopter during supply missions to two infantry battalions in Tay Ninh Province. Although Lieutenant Dando had already flown missions for over twelve hours that day, he readily volunteered to make the three night flights necessary to restore the material strength of these forces. After finding his way through the darkness to the selected landing zone, he was forced to make the landing without lights because the area was not secure from Viet Cong attack. Descending into a narrow opening in the trees, he guided himself only by dim, flashing light on the ground. When this also disappeared in the dust raised by his rotor's downwash, he had to complete the landing using only his instrument readings. First Lieutenant Dando returned to his base, reloaded, and flew a second delivery to the battlefield. As he left the zone, his twenty minute fuel supply warning light flashed. Quickly estimating flight distances, he reassured the infantry personnel that the remaining mission would be flown. For the third time he flew his loaded helicopter in darkness to the constricted landing zone and returned to base with only minutes of flying time remaining. First Lieutenant Dando's outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.