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 Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer Gary D. Martin for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Chief Warrant Officer Martin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 January 1966 while serving as Aircraft Commander of an armed UH-1B helicopter providing fire support during a rescue operation in the An Lao Valley, Republic of Vietnam. A six man patrol was ambushed by a large Viet Cong force and requested evacuation. A fifteen man reaction force was formed to attempt to relieve the besieged patrol and aid in their extraction. Despite adverse weather conditions, Chief Warrant Officer Martin volunteered to escort the troop lift helicopters into the operational area. As the flight proceeded through the An Lao Valley, they were almost completely hidden in the bases of the clouds. To render continuous fire support and maintain clear fields of fire, Chief Warrant Officer Martin elected to fly at 200 feet. At this time, he was repeatedly exposed to intense hostile fire from well-fortified Viet Cong positions. Unhesitatingly, he took the hostile emplacements under attack with suppressive machine gun fire. With complete disregard for his safety, Chief Warrant Officer Martin escorted each aircraft individually into the landing zone and effected the successful extraction of 21 American soldiers while receiving intense hostile fire. Chief Warrant Officer Martin's 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.