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 Warrant Officer Bruce D. Brattain for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 7 August 1970. On that date, an eight-man team from Company A, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 5th Cavalry was attempting to cross a swift-flowing river in a small watercraft near grid coordinates YT 689687 in Long Kanh Province, RVN. Nearing the center of the river, the current suddenly became violent and rapids threw the craft against partially submerged rocks and the small boat was capsized. The Battalion Command and Control Helicopter was in the immediate vicinity and seeing the eight men exhaustedly clinging to the overturned craft, Warrant Officer Brattain, the Helicopter Commander, quickly decided to use his helicopter in an attempt to rescue the men in peril. Within seconds, he maneuvered the helicopter directly over the men and very close to the churning water. As the men were placed aboard, he directed the pilot to make three separate trips to an unsecured landing zone on the nearby river bank. His immediate and courageous response to the critical situation saved the loss of any life which would have occurred, if his prompt actions were not taken.