AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Marvin F. Schindler for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On this date (8 June 1966), Lieutenant Schindler was serving as a Pilot of an armed helicopter. When the flight leader received information that Viet Cong troops had installed a road block across Route 13 and were defending it with light and heavy automatic weapons operated from multi-gun, anti-aircraft mounts, Lieutenant Schindler and his flight leader made firing passes on the objectives and received heavy ground fire. The flight leader was killed during this action. Lieutenant Schindler ignored the heavy ground fire, made several firing passes delivered at point blank range from tree top level and placed his rockets directly upon the Viet Cong positions. This flight required a high order of professionalism and determination. Lieutenant Schindler's performance demonstrated exemplary skill and valor. Not until his rockets were exhausted did Lieutenant Schindler cease his low level passes. First Lieutenant Schindler's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Marvin F. Schindler for heroism while participating in aerial flight. During the early morning hours of this date (5 November 1966), the 196th Light Infantry Brigade engaged two well-entrenched and heavily fortified Viet Cong battalions. Within minutes the 1st Infantry Division Command and Control helicopter was airborne and over the battle area. All artillery units in the area were alerted, and all available aircraft were ordered into the area. Lieutenant Schindler, the pilot of the Command and Control airship, skillfully and repeatedly maneuvered his helicopter just over the tree tops of the battle area in order to enable the observer to determine the size, exact location, and battle information of the Viet Cong forces. The intelligence information gained in this manner permitted the Deputy Commanding General to coordinate devastating air strikes and artillery barrages with respect to the ground tactical situation. While in flight he was constantly exposed to hostile automatic weapons and .50 caliber machine gun fire. During the height of the battle, Lieutenant Schindler, with complete disregard for his personal safety, made numerous landings in unsecured areas in order that the Deputy Commanding General could issue directives to individual unit commanders. Even though completely exposed to intense hostile fire, Lieutenant Schindler remained at the controls of the helicopter in order to be ready to depart at any time. The professional knowledge, resoluteness of purpose and initiative displayed by Lieutenant Schindler materially contributed to the success of the operation. First Lieutenant Schindler's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Marvin F. Schindler for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On this date (11 December 1966), Lieutenant Schindler distinguished himself, by heroic actions while piloting the Assistant Division Commander's command and control helicopter. During a routine flight over the III Corps area, Lieutenant Schindler received a distress call from an infantry platoon which had become engaged with a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Lieutenant Schindler immediately proceeded to the beleaguered unit. As the aircraft approached the battle zone, it suddenly became subjected to a heavily concentrated volume of hostile, automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he hovered over the emplacement and directed his door gunners' fire upon the Viet Cong. Lieutenant Schindler then made three passes over the area in an attempt to locate the embattled patrol. Friendly artillery rounds zeroed in on the Viet Cong positions and spewed shrapnel throughout the area damaging the helicopter. Exhibiting stoic determination, Lieutenant Schindler continued his mission. A green flare suddenly burst near an isolated jungle clearing revealing the position of the stricken unit. Lieutenant Schindler turned his helicopter in the direction of the signal, descended to tree top level and deftly landed the craft in the landing zone amidst sporadic sniper fire. The severely wounded men were quickly placed aboard. Lieutenant Schindler skillfully lifted the helicopter out of the area and flew to the nearest medical center. Throughout the afternoon, he returned to the battle site in order to evacuate the wounded. First Lieutenant Schindler's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

4.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Marvin F. Schindler for heroism while participating in aerial flight. On this date (22 December 1966), Captain Schindler was flying a routine reconnaissance mission near Di An when he received word that a supply truck had been struck by a command-detonated Viet Cong claymore mine and was immediately immobilized. Captain Schindler unhesitatingly flew to the location. As he approached the truck, he noticed that an insurgent force was moving from an adjacent wood line toward the vehicle. Captain Schindler courageously made several low level firing passes over the hostile unit, each time being subjected to an intense barrage of automatic weapons and small arms fire. With an unparalleled display of flying ability, Captain Schindler maneuvered his aircraft over the insurgents, as his gunners inflicted numerous casualties upon them. Within moments the Viet Cong fled into the woods, leaving their dead and wounded behind. Captain Schindler then flew above the wooded area and noticed that the insurgents were attempting to regroup. With a flawless demonstration of sound professionalism, Captain Schindler called in devastating artillery barrages upon the Viet Cong positions and directed the artillery rounds with phenomenal accuracy. Not satisfied with destroying this force, he circled the surrounding area until the vehicle could be extracted. Captain Schindler's aggressiveness and unfaltering dedication to duty assured the success of the extraction mission and singularly accounted for the destruction of a Viet Cong unit. Captain Schindler's actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.