The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Carmine A. Casciano, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the night of 5 June 1969, First Lieutenant Casciano launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of three casualties from an Army of the Republic of Vietnam unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force five miles southwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the friendly unit was under intense mortar, small arms, and automatic weapons fire and that the condition of one of the wounded men was extremely critical. Despite the difficulties of maneuvering his aircraft in the darkness over the hazardous mountain terrain and a dense ground haze which further restricted visibility, First Lieutenant Casciano, guided only by a flashlight at the western edge of the landing zone, commenced his approach to the confined zone. When his CH-46 reached an altitude of 200 feet, it suddenly came under an extremely heavy volume of enemy fire and was struck by several round which caused him to abandon his landing attempt. However, after rapidly assessing the damage and performing several system checks, he found that all systems functioned properly and elected to continue his vital mission. Undaunted by the intensity of the hostile fire directed at his CH-46, First Lieutenant Casciano coordinated his approach with the fire of supporting gunships, boldly maneuvered his aircraft to a landing in the small zone, and fearlessly remained in his precarious position until the casualties were embarked. Lifting out of the dangerous area, he then departed for the hospital at DaNang. First Lieutenant Casciano’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Carmine A. Casciano, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 15 April 1969, First Lieutenant Casciano launched as Pilot of a transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a critically wounded Marine from an area approximately five miles northwest of An Hoa in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he was informed by his supporting gunships that the landing zone was not secure and that he could expect to encounter intense hostile fire during the evacuation mission. As First Lieutenant Casciano commenced his approach to the zone, his aircraft came under a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire. Skillfully directing the accurate fire of his men on the enemy position, he successfully landed his helicopter and boldly maintained his exposed position while the casualty was being embarked. First Lieutenant Casciano then departed the hazardous area and delivered the wounded Marine to a medical facility. His bold initiative and superb airmanship inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the dangerous mission. First Lieutenant Casciano’s courage, superior aeronautical ability and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.