The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Douglas R. Orahood, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a 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 the morning of 9 October 1970, First Lieutenant Orahood launched as Section Leader of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a seriously wounded Marine from a unit which was engaged in combat with a hostile force south of Hill 270S in Quang Nam Province. Although no gunships were immediately available to support the extraction, he resolutely elected to continue the mission when he was appraised of the urgency of evacuating the casualty. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the Marines were located in an unsecured zone on a steep, boulder-strewn slope and were under a heavy volume of enemy fire. Undaunted, First Lieutenant Orahood skillfully maneuvered his aircraft to a one-wheel landing on a large boulder. Almost immediately, his transport under intense hostile fire, several rounds of which severely damaged his aircraft and severed the communications lines between the cabin and the cockpit. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly held his helicopter in its precarious position until the wounded Marine was placed aboard and then lifted out of the dangerous area. After assessing the extent of the damage sustained, First Lieutenant Orahood expertly maneuvered his crippled aircraft to a nearby secured area and directed the transfer of the medical evacuee to his wingman’s helicopter for the flight to the medical facility at DaNang. First Lieutenant Orahood’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.