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 First Lieutenant Quinten R. Meland for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, First Marine Aircraft Wing on 31 October 1966, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Flying the fifth aircraft in a flight of five UH-34D transport helicopters, First Lieutenant Meland participated in the retraction of two Marine reconnaissance patrols, surrounded and under fire by numerically superior enemy forces in isolated mountain zones, twelve miles west of Tam Ky in Quang Tin Province. Realizing the perilous position of the twenty-five man team located in the first zone, the Flight Leader immediately established an approach pattern into the small, hastily cleared hilltop landing area. After the fourth aircraft entered and departed the zone, First Lieutenant Meland courageously commenced his approach, skillfully maneuvering his helicopter along a ridge line to conceal his position and evade enemy fire. After the Marines boarded his helicopter, he executed a maximum power lift-off through intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Alertly, his aerial gunners returned a heavy volume of suppressive fire while the accompanying armed helicopters attacked the Viet Cong positions. Upon the completion of the first extraction mission, the flight off-loaded the Marines at a nearby secure zone and proceeded to aid the second beleaguered twenty-four man reconnaissance patrol. Despite a rapidly diminishing fuel supply and deteriorating weather conditions, First Lieutenant Meland courageously followed the fourth aircraft into the hostile zone. Disregarding the heavy enemy fire, he executed a difficult one-wheel hover landing on the steep slope because of the small landing area and successfully departed the zone after the Marines had boarded his aircraft. His selfless and heroic actions were instrumental in the accomplishment of the retraction missions and undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous Marines. First Lieutenant Meland's exceptional aeronautical skill, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.