AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  A-4

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Henry S. Harrison for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving 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 26 October 1967, Captain Harrison launched as Wingman in a flight of two A-4 attack aircraft assigned an emergency close air support mission for a rescue operation. While operating in support of a Marine battalion heavily engaged with a North Vietnamese Army force southwest of Con Thien, an H-34 transport helicopter had been hit by enemy fire and had crashed into the middle of enemy positions 150 meters outside the battalion's perimeter. Several survivors of the crash were pinned down in the hostile area and rescue operations were hampered by heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Arriving in the vicinity with his Flight Leader, Captain Harrison was briefed by the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne), quickly located the burning helicopter and flew over the area to identify enemy positions. Although he realized maneuverability would be greatly restricted because of rescue operations in proximity to his target, he boldly commenced the attack under intense enemy fire. Displaying exceptional aeronautical skill and firm determination, Captain Harrison delivered his ordnance with consistent accuracy within 100 meters of friendly positions into the midst of advancing North Vietnamese Army troops. When his ordnance was expended, he continued to make strafing attacks, despite harassing anti-aircraft fire and departed the area with a dangerously low fuel supply only after another fixed wing flight had arrived on station. His courageous actions were instrumental in halting the enemy attack and contributed significantly to the total of twenty-six enemy soldiers confirmed killed and forty-seven probable killed and to the subsequent rescue of the crash survivors. Captain Harrison's exceptional aeronautical skill, bold initiative and selfless 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.