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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Ronald L. Madsen for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Warrant Officer Madsen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 September 1965 while serving as Aircraft Commander on a UH-1D helicopter on a medical evacuation mission in the vicinity of Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Madsen had the mission to evacuate an American officer who had been seriously wounded during a search and destroy operation. Upon arrival at the extraction area, Warrant Officer Madsen made a difficult low-level approach due to the intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire, and landed his aircraft within 50 feet of the wounded officer. While in the landing zone, Warrant Officer Madsen’s aircraft came under intense hostile fire, as he maintained position at a partial hover until the wounded officer was loaded aboard. By properly utilizing his armed helicopter escort and avoiding the Viet Cong positions, Warrant Officer Madsen made a successful takeoff, and delivered the wounded American officer to the nearest medical facility. His professionalism and devotion to duty added significantly to the successful accomplishment of the medical evacuation mission which resulted in saving the wounded officer’s life. Warrant Officer Madsen’s heroic actions were in in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.