The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Major [then Captain] Lynn M. Ackerman (MCSN: 0-73519/7335), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as the Pilot of a UH-34D helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-361), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 3 August 1965 Major Ackerman received a call stating that a five-man reconnaissance patrol was pinned down by insurgent communist (Viet Cong) fire forward of friendly lines near Chu Lai, and required helicopter evacuation. The difficulty of this rescue was compounded by the lack of radio communications with the patrol, eliminating the possibility of positive identification of the landing zone. Displaying superior navigational ability, Major Ackerman arrived in the area of the given coordinates and skillfully landed his aircraft without lights in an unfamiliar landing zone while under enemy machine gun fire. Having boldly remained on the ground until all patrol members were able to embark, he left the zone, again under fire and without lights. Major Ackerman’s courageous actions and exceptional aeronautical ability throughout reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.