AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1H

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Otis D. Evans, First Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps, United States Army, 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, 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 Evans distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 December 1968 as the pilot of an ambulance helicopter. On his first attempt to reach several wounded infantrymen, his aircraft was hit by a heavy volley of hostile fire. Returning several minutes later to again attempt the extraction, his ship came under an enemy barrage which wrecked the tail rotor. After skillfully manipulating the crippled helicopter back to Dau Tieng, Lieutenant Evans returned in another ship to the beleaguered infantry unit. Although it was now dark and he had only a strobe light to guide him, he successfully flew the ship into a small, almost inaccessible landing zone located on the edge of a bomb crater surrounded by thirty foot trees. Hovering in this perilous position, he waited until all the casualties were loaded and then sped them to medical facilities. First Lieutenant Evans' 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.