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 Airman Glen Robert Smithen for heroism and extraordinary achievement while serving with Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron THREE on 8 November 1968. As a crew member on a helicopter gunship, Airman SMITHEN participated in an unprecedented medical evacuation of two seriously wounded men from an underway PBR in a hostile fire area. The helicopter fire team was scrambled from Nha Be to assist two PBR's that had come under heavy enemy rocket and automatic weapons fire from both banks of a small stream. The patrol officer had been killed and four crewmen were wounded; two seriously and in need of immediate medical evacuation. Since a MEDEVAC helicopter was 20 minutes away and there was no helicopter landing site accessible to the PBR's, the pilots received permission from the fire team leader to attempt an underway pickup. Before doing so, the helicopter had to be lightened, so a strike was placed into the suspected enemy positions. Airman SMITHEN then jettisoned most of the remaining ammunition as the pilot started to approach the boat. He then assisted the pilot in positioning the helicopter over the PBR and then pulled both wounded men to safety. Once the wounded men were safely aboard and the aircraft en route to Saigon, he administered much needed first aid. Airman SMITHEN"s heroic actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.