AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1B, UH-1D

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to James E. Hyers, Captain, Transportation Corps, United States Army, 116th Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, for heroism, while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Hyers distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 July 1966 while serving as the leader of a team of armed helicopters supporting combat operations in Hau Ngia Province. A ground unit was being extracted from landing zones by eight troop carriers, while the unit was still in contact with the Viet Cong. As the helicopters entered the landing zones, Captain Hyers led his gunships in firing passes to suppress the insurgent weapons. Instead of breaking off the runs to overfly the targets, he directed the team over the entire length of the hostile lines to keep them under fire for longer periods of time. Although his low altitude afforded the door gunners good coverage of the Viet Cong emplacements, it exposed him to an immense volume of ground fire. During the second lift, Captain Hyers had the additional hazard of flying between the pickup zones and the exploding rockets of diving strike planes, but again protected the helicopters from destruction. After the evacuation team had departed, he noticed three friendly soldiers still on the ground waving for help. While one helicopter flew in to pick them up, he again protected the evacuation process. Captain Hyers’ 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.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) to James E. Hyers, Major, Transportation Corps, United States Army, 116th Assault Helicopter Company, for heroism while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam: Major Hyers distinguished himself on 22 April 1967 while serving as pilot of a UH-1D helicopter assigned to carry a command and control party on an airmobile combat assault. While over a proposed landing zone a flight of two bombers was sighted. One bomber was hit by ground fire and the crew bailed out. Acting immediately, he proceeded to the location of the crash and brought his aircraft in behind the gunships covering the area. He set his ship down as near to the man as possible, ignoring the efforts of the enemy to prevent the rescue. With the man finally aboard he flew his aircraft to safety. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.