The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Marshall W. Purcell (ASN: W-3157881), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 5 September 1968 while serving as an aircraft commander with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Warrant Officer Purcell was flying the regimental command and control aircraft in the vicinity of Chann Luu, when he suddenly observed a platoon size Viet Cong force. Disregarding the threat of hostile automatic weapons and antitank rocket fire being directed upon his aircraft, Warrant Officer Purcell skillfully maneuvered his helicopter at low level, and by utilizing the suppressive fire of his two door gunners, successfully contained the Viet Cong platoon, allowing friendly ground forces to launch an assault against them. During the midst of the battle he fearlessly landed his aircraft in an unsecured zone to extract a prisoner of war from the immediate battle area. Returning to the scene of the fierce firefight, Warrant Officer Purcell again observed a number of hostile troops advancing through a ravine in an attempt to escape the friendly forces. Warrant Officer Purcell immediately directed his door gunners to engage the enemy and again fearlessly maneuvered his aircraft through intense small arms fire, successfully denying the hostile forces their escape route. Warrant Officer Purcell landed his aircraft approximately 30 meters from the ravine in order to fix the enemy positions. As the aircraft touched the ground it received an intense hostile small arms fire partially disabling the aircraft. After the others had evacuated the aircraft, Warrant Officer Purcell, completely disregarded the numerous warning lights, indicating a possible chance of fire and flew the aircraft to a secure area. Warrant Officer Purcell’s professional flying ability and disregard of 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.