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 Captain Paul Van Helsel (AFSN: 0-3024875), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a C-130 aircraft in Southeast Asia on the night of 26 April 1967. On that date, Captain Helsel, as a Forward Air Controller, was instrumental in the destruction of hostile gun positions and the interdiction of a vital hostile supply route. He accomplished this by repeatedly entering an area of intense and accurate fire to conduct strikes, fix the target position and assess the damage. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Helsel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.