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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Junichi E. (David) Yahiro for heroism while participating in aerial flight. First Lieutenant Yahiro distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 January 1966 while serving as Aircraft Commander of a UH-1B helicopter during a rescue operation in the An Lao Valley, Republic of Vietnam. Twenty-one Americans were surrounded by a large Viet Cong force and requested immediate evacuation. First Lieutenant Yahiro volunteered to airlift a fifteen-man reaction force into the operational area. Despite adverse weather conditions and intense hostile ground fire, First Lieutenant Yahiro proceeded at low level through the Viet Cong infested valley and delivered the reaction force within 200 meters of the besieged patrol. After link-up with the patrol, they hastily cleared a landing zone. First Lieutenant Yahiro returned to find that the clearing was extremely small and surrounded by trees. With complete disregard for his safety, he attempted to land in the small clearing, but because of the terrain, First Lieutenant Yahiro was forced to load his helicopter from a hover. After loading six reaction force troops aboard his aircraft, he departed the area. First Lieutenant Yahiro'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.