AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  AH-1G

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Joseph Gallo for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 8 May 1970, First Lieutenant Gallo launched as Wingman in a flight of two AH-1G Cobra helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a six-man Marine reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force in a mountainous area southwest of Thuong Due in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he was informed that the beleaguered patrol was under intense hostile rocket-propelled grenade, small arms, and automatic weapons fire from three sides and that the enemy had moved to within thirty meters of the Marines in an attempt to encircle the patrol. After the Marines had marked their positions with a strobe light, First Lieutenant Gallo, undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire directed at his aircraft, boldly maneuvered his Cobra on repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that the enemy’s advance was halted. When a flareship and two CH-46 transport helicopters arrived on station to support the extraction effort, he again ignored the intense North Vietnamese fire as he executed highly accurate and effective firing runs which suppressed the hostile fire sufficiently to enable a transport helicopter to land in the precarious zone and embark the reconnaissance team. Just as the CH-46 prepared to lift out of the zone, approximately thirty North Vietnamese soldiers sprang from their concealed position and rushed the helicopter. Reacting instantly, First Lieutenant Gallo coordinated his fire with that of the aerial gunners aboard the extraction aircraft and maneuvered his gunship on such effective firing passes that several enemy soldiers were killed, their attack was halted, and the aircraft was enabled to lift out of the dangerous area without sustaining significant damage. First Lieutenant Gallo'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.