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 First Lieutenant Richard L. Theys for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. Lieutenant Theys distinguished himself by heroic actions on 26 March 1967 while serving as aircraft commander of an armed UH-1G helicopter assigned to the 114th Assault Helicopter Company. He had been called to provide support for three helicopters and crews that had been shot down twenty kilometers southeast of Vinh Long. The downed aircraft were about one hundred meters from a tree line infested with two Viet Cong battalions. He joined other gunships in the area to form a large circular attack pattern to keep constant fire on the enemy. A rescue had been planned and as the rescue helicopters descended to the downed site, he flew dangerously close to the enemy postions, firing rockets and drawing the hostile fire away from the rescue helicopters. He continued his unrelenting attacks even after his aircraft had been hit by enemy fire until he had expended all his ordnance. After rearming and refueling he again returned to the operation to support an ARVN advance on the Viet Cong stronghold. More units were airlifted to the area and some were pinned down by machine gun fire. For over eight hours he assaulted the enemy positions with his rockets and machine guns. His display of outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were instrumental in the rescue of the downed crewmen and the eventual defeat of the Viet Cong. 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.