AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  CH-46

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Darcy A. Vernier for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 17 January 1970, First Lieutenant Vernier launched as Division Leader of a flight of three CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the mission of inserting and extracting Marine reconnaissance teams throughout the day in several areas of Quang Nam Province. While returning from a successful insertion during the afternoon, he received an urgent request for the emergency extraction of an eight-man reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force in a mountainous area approximately ten miles south of An Hoa. When deteriorating weather conditions and other aircraft in the area precluded the employment of his entire flight, First Lieutenant Vernier quickly refueled his helicopter, directed his wingmen to remain on station over An Hoa to act as a radio relay should further assistance be necessary, and then resolutely proceeded to the designated area accompanied by gunships. Arriving over the beleaguered patrol, he found that the Marines were receiving a heavy volume of hostile grenade, small arms, and automatic weapons fire from three sides and were located in a bombed-out area on a hillside which was surrounded by tall trees. Undaunted by the high winds and the intensity of the enemy fire directed at his CH-46, First Lieutenant Vernier skillfully coordinated his approach with the fire of the supporting gunships and the smoke screen laid down by an OV-10, boldly maneuvered to a hover above the extraction site and maneuvered down through the tall trees to a landing in the fire-swept zone. With complete disregard for his own safety, he steadfastly remained in his precarious position until all eight Marines had embarked and then continued to ignore the enemy fire from surrounding ridgelines as he lifted out of the area and departed for his base. First Lieutenant Vernier's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Darcy A. Vernier for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 8 February 1970, First Lieutenant Vernier launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of two seriously wounded men from a Second Republic of Korea Marine Brigade unit operating in an area south of DaNang. Shortly after extracting the two casualties without incident, he received an urgent request for the emergency medical evacuation of three critically wounded Marines from a unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force north of Landing Zone Baldy in Quang Nam Province. Rapidly proceeding to the beleaguered Marines' position, he was informed that the friendly unit was under intense enemy mortar and machine gun fire. Extinguishing his external running lights, First Lieutenant Vernier commenced his approach to the landing zone but was forced to abort his landing attempt when his aircraft came under an extremely heavy volume of hostile fire. When advised that the condition of one of the casualties was deteriorating, necessitating an immediate extraction, he completely disregarded his own safety as he coordinated his second approach with the covering fire of supporting gunships and skillfully maneuvered his helicopter down below the tree line to screen his flight from enemy gunners. Boldly executing a high-speed, minimum-altitude approach along the tree line, First Lieutenant Vernier expertly maneuvered to a landing in the fire-swept zone. Undaunted by the intensity of the hostile fire, he fearlessly remained in his precarious position until all of the wounded Marines were embarked and then departed the dangerous area for the hospital at DaNang. First Lieutenant Vernier's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Darcy A. Vernier for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the night of 8 March 1970, First Lieutenant Vernier launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 Sea Knight transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of six casualties from a Marine unit which was surrounded and heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force approximately five miles south of Landing Zone Baldy in Quang Nam Province. Skillfully maneuvering his aircraft through the darkness and over rugged terrain under a fourteen hundred foot ceiling, he arrived over the designated area and, after coordinating with the pilots of Cobra gunships on station, selected the best avenue of approach and the most advantageous areas to drop illumination flares. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire directed at his helicopter, First Lieutenant Vernier skillfully coordinated his approach with a smoke screen laid down by gunships and their rocket and strafing runs and fearlessly maneuvered his Sea Knight through the intense hostile fire to a landing near the Marines. With complete disregard for his own safety, he resolutely held his helicopter in its precarious position in the fire-swept area, reported several sources of enemy fire for attacks by the Cobras, maintained his position on the ground until all of the wounded Marines were placed aboard, and then safely evacuated them. First Lieutenant Vernier's courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.