AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  Huey

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Richard S. Jones for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Jones distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 September 1968 while serving as Pilot of the command and control helicopter of the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade. On that date, elements from the battalion were conducting a combat sweep near the village of Ha Thanh when they were ambushed and pinned down by an enemy force of undetermined size. Flying over the area of contact, Warrant Officer Jones maneuvered his craft in low runs across the rice paddies, enabling the battalion commander to observe and evaluate the situation. Ignoring the intense volumes of hostile fire directed at his aircraft, he he made tree-top level passes over he battle area, pinpointing and marking enemy positions for the friendly forces. He then landed amid the friendly troops so that the battalion commander could confer with the company commander. Lifting out of the area, he flew to a nearby fire base to refuel. Flying through rough weather, he returned to the area and picked up the battalion commander. As the ship lifted out of the area, it received heavy enemy fire which crippled the craft. With professional handling, he flew the disabled helicopter to a nearby fire base for maintenance. Through his timely actions, he contributed greatly to the success of the operation and the subsequent defeat of the enemy. Warrant Officer Jones' personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.