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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Richard C. Williams, Warrant Officer, WO1, United States Army, 162d Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter), Republic of Vietnam, for action dated 2 January 1971 for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty: Warrant Officer Williams distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as a crew member of a lift ship of a combat assault team, in support of ground forces. During the first insertion the visibility became limited due to the setting sun, and to further complicate matters the flight began to draw intense enemy automatic weapons fire. At that time the ground commander called for a medevac to extract seriously wounded troops. After dropping off their troops the aircraft hovered above the tall grass searching for the wounded men. At that time the enemy troops that were in the proximity of the wounded began to fire on the medevac aircraft with all the firepower that they could muster. Disregarding the fire, he continued to look for the wounded until the ground commander told him to depart. Although his ship took numerous hits his ship began to fly in the lead position in place of the flight leader who was wounded during the insertion. The ship continued to lead the flight into the fiercely contested landing zone throughout the night in order to reinforce the beleaguered ground element. His gallantry and devotion to duty with complete disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.