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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Walter J. Kohls, First Lieutenant, Artillery, United States Army Battery C, 2d Battalion, 20th Artillery, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight. First Lieutenant Kohls distinguished himself by heroism in action on 24 November 1966, while serving as aircraft commander of an aerial rocket artillery helicopter during a fire mission in support of Operation Thayer II in the Republic of Vietnam. When the OH-13 observation helicopter directing the mission was downed by hostile fire and crashed near two enemy bunker systems, another aircraft immediately landed in an attempt to rescue the downed crew. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Kohls descended to a dangerously low altitude and proceeded to attack the enemy positions. To insure that his rockets would clear the crash site, Lieutenant Kohls directed his aircraft to an extremely hazardous position close to the enemy bunkers. After his rocket ammunition had been expended, he flew several low level circular orbits, pinning down the hostile force with intense machine gun fire from his aircraft, until the rescue of the downed crew had been completed. Lieutenant Kohls’ outstanding display of aggressiveness and personal bravery stands in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.