AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1H

Citation:  1. The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Willie H. Boyd, Captain, Medical Services Corp, United States Army, 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, for heroism, while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Boyd distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 May 1968 while serving as pilot of an ambulance helicopter. An urgent evacuation request was received from a small popular forces outpost at Phu Thanh. Approaching through a hail of enemy fire, he landed just outside the outpost's defensive wall. The intense Viet Cong shelling, however, had pinned the defenders in their bunkers and prevented them from bringing the wounded to the ship. Captain Boyd lifted off and orbited the area until he was informed that the wounded had been brought to the pickup site. Landing swiftly between the friendly and hostile forces, he directed the loading of the wounded men under a hail of enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Suddenly his ship came under intense mortar fire from the Viet Cong. Undaunted, Captain Boyd waited until all the wounded were loaded aboard, and then speedily flew the patients to life saving medical facilities. Captain Boyd's outstanding flying ability 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.