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 (Field Artillery) Bruce K. Thatcher (ASN: 0-5419513), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism and gallantry while participating in aerial flight while serving with Headquarters and Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). First Lieutenant Thatcher distinguished himself by heroism in action on 28 June 1967, while serving as an aerial observer during a mission assisting artillery forward observers of three rifle companies which were engaged with a hostile force in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Thatcher remained in the area for a period of one hour to assist forward observers in adjusting artillery fire. As fighting progressed, friendly and hostile positions moved to within 50 meters of each other. Later, aerial rocket artillery helicopters arrived to help the friendly elements in breaking contact with the hostile force. Realizing the danger to friendly troops if the rocket fire would be a fraction off, Lieutenant Thatcher, with complete disregard for his own safety, directed his pilot to lead the aerial rocket artillery helicopters to show the exact path of the desired rocket fire. Making several more passes over the hostile positions, his aircraft came under intense enemy fire. Lieutenant Thatcher’s courageous action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.