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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Darold L. Guttormson for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 311, Marine Aircraft Group Twelve, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 25 December 1967, Major Guttormson launched as Section Leader of a flight of two A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to provide close air support for a Marine reconnaissance team which was receiving fire on three sides from a numerically superior enemy force northwest of Cam Lo. Arriving over the designated area, despite a low cloud layer which obscured nearby mountain tops, Major Guttormson was briefed on the friendly and enemy situations by the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne). Unable to locate the target visually, he commenced an identification run and immediately came under enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he executed a second observation pass to ensure that he had pinpointed the target. Utilizing a fire started by his wingman's ordnance, as a reference point, Major Guttormson skillfully adjusted his bomb delivery on repeated runs until his ordnance was impacting within 100 meters of the friendly position. Shifting his attack to the western side of the reconnaissance team's position, he ignored the intense hostile fire and, after locating the enemy, fearlessly completed two additional bombing runs, delivering his remaining ordnance with devastating effectiveness. His exceptional aeronautical skill and determined efforts were an inspiration to all who served with him and were instrumental in the subsequent safe extraction of the beleaguered Marines. Major Guttormson's courage, superb airmanship and unswerving devotion to duty at great personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.