AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Mark S. Stevens, WO1, 100B, A Trp, 2d Sqdn (Ambl), 17th Cav (WABOAO), for heroism involving aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 November 1969. Warrant Officer Stevens distinguished himself while serving as aircraft commander of a UH-1H helicopter on an extraction mission near Fire Support Base Blaze, Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Stevens volunteered to fly the mission in marginal weather conditions, even though two previous extraction attempts had failed. The five man team had been out for six days in treacherous terrain and were suffering from lack of food and exposure to weather. Warrant Officer Stevens, utilizing radio homing techniques, was able to get within 100 meters of the team's cloud covered location. His first attempt at pickup failed, but with calm determination he hovered through the clouds and extracted the team in two sorties. Although critically low on fuel and flying on instruments, Warrant Officer Stevens flew all the personnel to a nearby fire base, refueled, and arrived home with the team safely aboard. Warrant Officer Stevens' personal bravery 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.