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 Warrant Officer Eugene B. Phillips for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action, above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Phillips distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 June 1966 while serving as Aircraft Commander of a helicopter during a medical evacuation mission near T rung Luong. When Warrant Officer Phillips received the message to extract thirteen seriously wounded American soldiers, the stricken company had been under attack for 36 hours and was again receiving intense hostile fire. Although the extraction site was barely visible because of approaching darkness, the area was clearly marked by tracer fire and artillery and mortar bursts. With complete disregard for his safety, Warrant Officer Phillips followed steering instructions from another aircraft at a higher altitude and skillfully maneuvered his helicopter for three kilometers below treetop level into the unlighted extraction site. As the wounded troops were loaded into the helicopter, jet aircraft began dropping napalm and strafing targets that were only 200 meters from the landing zone. One napalm bomb barely missed his aircraft, as he was departing the extraction site. Through his courage Warrant Officer Phillips successfully evacuated six of the most critical casualties from the perilous battle area. Warrant Officer Phillips' 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.