AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  CH-34

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John Day for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On 7 May 1968 at approximately 1000, Lieutenant Day’s flight of two H-34’s was diverted to an emergency mission. The medical evacuation helicopter was shot down on an emergency evacuation, eleven miles south of Danang. Lieutenant Day was instructed to drop aircraft recovery equipment and extract the medevacs and the downed crew. The ground unit was in heavy contact, and it was decided to run fixed wing in the area before attempting the extraction. The ground unit advised Lieutenant Day that he would almost certainly come under fire. Because of the critical condition of the wounded Marines, Lieutenant Day elected to attempt a pickup. During his spiraling approach from the northeast, Lt Day received sporadic enemy fire. He continued his approach until the enemy fire became so intense that he was forced to wave off. Another flight of fixed wing was called in while Lieutenant Day proceeded to An Hoa to refuel. During the interim, Lt Days wingman managed to retrieve the medevacs. Returning to Operation Allen Brooke, Lieutenant Day attempted another approach. Skillfully manipulating his aircraft at high speeds, Lt. Day successfully avoided the heavy enemy fire and landed safely. After depositing the needed recovery gear in the zone, he departed via his entry route, still under fire. Approximately two hours later, Lieutenant Day again entered the same zone under similar conditions. This time he extracted the downed crew and took one aircraft hit in the process. On this day, Lieutenant Day’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.