AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1, UH-1D

Citation:  1.) The Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: Captain Rubin distinguished himself on 1 August 1967 while flying as aircraft commander and fire team leader of two armed helicopters on a reconnaissance mission in the Rung Sat Special Zone. He was covering the main shipping channel between the South China Sea and the Saigon dock complex, when he received a distress call from a commercial ship that had been ambushed by a group of insurgents. When he arrived in the area, he made several low level passes over the area and spotted the insurgents in a well camouflaged position. During the firing pass, the enemy set off a command detonated bomb that rocked the aircraft and damaged the hydraulic systems. After regaining control of his badly damaged aircraft, he continued the attack until all ammunition was expended. Through his highly accurate fire, four enemy had been killed and the position badly damaged. 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.

2.) KENNETH E RUBIN, Captain Artillery, United States Army, 334th Armed Helicopter Company, Republic of Vietnam, 17 December 1967, is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: Captain Rubin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while flying a smoke laying helicopter in support of a combat assault north of Tra Co, Republic of Vietnam. He began preparation for the assault by laying smoke along the heaviest defended tree line. He flew through a hail of enemy ground fire to accomplish his mission. Although wounded by shrapnel as a result of several hits, he placed another smoke screen just ahead of the landing slicks. He noticed two troop carrying helicopters go down as a result of enemy. Aware of the danger involved, he quickly flew directly between the enemy forces and the two downed aircraft putting smoke in the eyes of the enemy. This action enabled another aircraft to land and rescue the crews. Captain Rubin's courage and professionalism are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. Kenneth E. Rubin also received the Distinguished Service Cross and his citation can be viewed on the Legion of Valor website. https://www.legionofvalor.com/citation_parse.php?uid=1001361746