AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  OH-6

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Lyle E. Borders for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 23 May 1971, evidenced by voluntary action, above and beyond the call of duty. These men distinguished themselves by exceptionally valorous action while serving as pilots of light observation helicopters which were engaged in visual reconnaissance in the U Minh Forest. When numerous enemy soldiers were sighted running through the jungle, these men were at the scene in seconds. They sighted enemy personnel running down a trail and chased them into a structure. These men destroyed the structure with minigun and grenade fire. When the decision was made to insert troops, these men were replaced on station by another observation team. When they returned to the area more than an hour later, the lead aircraft in the other team had been shot down and attempts were being made to extract the crew. Although they know that there was an enemy automatic weapon within range of the downed ship, they voluntarily entered the area to attempt to rescue their comrades. Immediately these men were subjected to intense automatic weapons fire from a heavily fortified bunker near the wreckage. They returned the fire and attempted to land, but the enemy fire was too heavy and these men were forced to abort the rescue attempt. Their courageous attempts to rescue their comrades was inspiring. Their courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon themselves, their unit, and the United States Army.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer Lyle E. Borders for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 21 June 1971 evidenced by voluntary action, above and beyond the call of duty. Warrant Officer Borders distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as the Pilot of a light observation helicopter which was engaged in a visual reconnaissance mission in the U Minh Forest area of Kien Giang Province. When Warrant Officer Borders' light observation helicopter received intense automatic weapons fire from heavily fortified bunkers along a troop line, he departed the area to allow the gunships to attack. When they had finished, he voluntarily returned to a heavily contested contact area to assess the results of the gunship strike. As soon as he entered the area, Warrant Officer Borders received heavy automatic weapons fire from both sides of the aircraft and was wounded in the leg by enemy fire. Experiencing shock and intense pain from his wounds, Warrant Officer Borders courageously maintained control of the aircraft and calmly advised his teammate of his perilous situation. He flew the aircraft until the observer was able to stow his machinegun and take the controls. Warrant Officer Borders' personal bravery and determination were inspiring. His skill as an aviator was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.