AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  OV-10A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Erwin W. Paulson for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the G-3 Section, Headquarters, First Marine Air Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 9 July 1970, Captain Paulson launched as Forward Air Controller (Airborne) flying a Bronco aircraft assigned the mission of controlling the emergency extraction of a six-man Marine reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force approximately twenty-two miles southwest of DaNang after having discovered an enemy base camp and captured an enemy soldier. Arriving over the designated area, he established radio contact with the beleaguered patrol and received a brief on the ground situation. After requesting a flight of attack aircraft, Captain Paulson undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire direct at his Bronco, boldly maneuvered his aircraft on repeated rocket and strafing runs against the enemy positions and delivered his ordnance with such accuracy and effectiveness that the enemy advance was halted and their fire suppressed. When fixed-wing aircraft arrived on station, he completely disregarded his own safety while fearlessly executing low-altitude marking runs and then directed air strikes with exceptional precision upon the hostile firing positions. After the devastatingly effective rocket and strafing runs of the Cobra gunships, Captain Paulson laid down a smoke screen, guided a transport helicopter to a hover above the pick-up site, and provided covering fire while the Marines attached themselves and their prisoner to the extraction ladder. The transport then safely lifted out of the dangerous area and departed for An Hoa. Captain Paulson's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.