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 Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer James C. VanMetre for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. Chief Warrant Officer VanMetre distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while flying as Aircraft Commander of a UH-1H helicopter on an emergency medical evacuation of seven seriously wounded Marines near the Demilitarized Zone. He volunteered for the mission in spite of darkness, weather which forced him to fly ten feet above the extremely mountainous terrain, and enemy fire which had caused two other helicopter crews to abandon the mission. With complete disregard for his own safety and without a gunship escort, he flew into the landing zone and extracted all seven of the wounded Marines who, but for him, would surely have died. 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