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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Lawrence Elliott Tahler (ASN: 0-5351700), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Tahler distinguished himself by outstanding achievements during the period 2 February to 1 March 1969, while serving as a Sniper Team Leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a series of Night Hunter Missions. First Lieutenant Tahler skillfully directed all of these missions, choosing target sites and making a choice of flight patters to cover an area, as well as personally accompanying the teams to coordinate between the pilot of the craft and snipers. His leadership and courage were largely responsible for the success of this relatively new type mission which inflicted heavy damage on the enemy during this period. First Lieutenant Tahler’s outstanding initiative and devotion to duty and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Lawrence Eliott Tahler (ASN: 0-5351700), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Tahler distinguished himself by outstanding achievements during the period 28 February 1969, while serving as a Sniper Team Leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a Night Hunter Mission near Fire Support Base Danger. After sighting a group of enemy sampans as his helicopter flew at low altitude along a river, First Lieutenant Tahler directed the pilot of the craft into a position from which his men could fire on the sampans, marking them for successful gunship strikes. Although the helicopter came under intense hostile fire from two other enemy craft concealed at the edge of the river, he remained calm and guided the pilot over the sampans as he dropped hand grenades, which destroyed both of the vessels. He then aided in marking six other sampans with fire, for destruction by the gunships. First Lieutenant Tahler’s outstanding initiative and devotion to duty and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.