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) Francis Gene Anton (ASN: W-3155469), United States Army, for heroism during aerial flight on 5 January 1968, while serving as a Pilot while attached to the 71st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 23d Infantry Division, in Vietnam. Warrant Officer One Anton was scrambled to aid an infantry unit which was besieged by a unit of the North Vietnamese Army. He executed an attack on the enemy and his helicopter sustained damage to its flight controls. Refusing to abandon the troops, he continued to attack the enemy. He lost all hydraulic power and found the strength required to move the virtually frozen flight-controls. He flew his aircraft to a landing, resulting in only minor injuries, saving the lives of his entire flight-crew of four. Warrant Officer One Anton’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 23d Infantry Division, and the United States Army