AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major William J. Meehan for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. Major Meehan distinguished himself by heroic actions on 26 March 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. Piloting a command and control helicopter, he was acting as one of the two alternating mission commanders of an airmobile assault force. During the early morning hours, the enemy attempted to overrun a district town. A counter operation resulted in an attempt to surround the Viet Cong units with units from the 9th ARVN Division. Major Meehan was responsible for the airmobile portion of the battle. As the first lift of transports were about to touch down in the landing zone, the landing zone erupted into a hail of small arms and automatic weapons fire. One transport and two rescue ships were downed, as a result of the deadly fire. He directed airstrike after airstrike on the Viet Cong positions located in a heavily overgrown treeline nearly 100 meters from the downed crews. Through his quick thinking, resulting in the use of airpower against the Viet Cong insurgents, the downed crews were kept from being overrun until evacuation could be made. He directed a series of lifts and assaults that turned the tide of the battle against the Viet Cong. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army