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 Lieutenant Kit G. Lavell for heroism while participating in aerial flight with Light Attack Squadron Four engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 26 November 1971, Lieutenant Lavell led a flight of two armed aircraft diverted to assist a forward outpost in the U-Minh Forest which was under mortar attack and in grave danger of being overrun. He expeditiously navigated the flight through low clouds and rain to the outpost where radio communications were established by a relay from the outpost through the Vietnamese Army Regimental Headquarters. Unable to talk directly with the outpost, Lieutenant Lavell immediately commenced flare drops from five hundred feet for reference. Intense anti-aircraft fire directed at the flight and directions from the outpost, which had observed the flares, enabled him to pinpoint the enemy positions. Without regard for his own personal safety, he commenced a prolonged low-level rocket and strafing attack beneath low clouds and rain in the face of enemy anti-aircraft fire. After expending all ordnance and returning to base, the flight was requested to return when the outpost came under enemy automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant Lavell led the flight back and, armed only with flares, dropped his remaining paraflares at irregular intervals to keep the enemy uncertain as to the intentions of the flight, saving the outpost from being overrun. His airmanship, aggressiveness and courage in the face of enemy fire reflected great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.