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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Corporal Charles W. Hansen III for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 8 December 1970, Corporal Hansen launched as Crew Chief aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of seven casualties from a Marine unit which was conducting operations in the vicinity of Hill 52 at Charlie Ridge in Quang Nam province. Arriving over the designated area, he was informed that the evacuees were located on a steep hillside at an altitude of 1,100 feet and that a sheer cliff on one side and tall trees and boulders in the area would prevent a landing. Undaunted by the constant threat of hostile fire and the difficulty his aircraft experienced in maintaining a hover in winds which gusted to forty-five knots, Corporal Hansen ably provided clearance information which enabled his pilot to maneuver the helicopter to a hover above the pick-up site. During the one hour and fifteen minutes required for the extraction, he moved rapidly to each of the windows to ensure that clearance from obstacles in the area was maintained and that the rotor blades, which were within ten feet of the cliff, maintained their clearance. with exceptional skill, he lowered the jungle penetrator and an extraction litter and expertly directed the hoisting of the seven wounded Marines aboard his transport. After the casualties were transported to a hospital ship offshore and his aircraft had returned to its base to be refueled, an urgent request was received for the emergency medical evacuation of four casualties from an Army of the Republic of Vietnam unit operating in a densely-jungled, mountainous area southwest of An Hoa. While enroute to the disignated area, his helicopter and an escorting gunship came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire which damaged both aircraft. Although knocked to the deck by one round which struck his flak jacket, Corporal Hansen quickly recovered, rapidly assessed the damage sustained, and reported that the flight could continue on its mission. Upon arrival over the extraction site, he again provided such precise clearance information that his transport was able to be maneuvered to a two-wheel landing and maintain a partial hover while the four wounded Vietnamese were embarked. Although his aircraft again came under an extremely heavy volume of hostile fire, he calmly provided clearance data as it lifted out of the dangerous area and proceeded to the hosptial at DaNang. Corporal Hansen's courage, superior professionalism, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.