The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lance Corporal James E. Antone, Jr. (MCSN: 2078755), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Crew Chief with Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the vicinity of Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam on 16 June 1966. As Crew Chief of UH-1E armed helicopter, Lance Corporal Antone participated in the retraction of an eighteen man Marine Reconnaissance Team that had been attacked by an enemy force of battalion size. During the hours of darkness prior to the retraction, he continuously disregarded his own safety by leaning out of the aircraft’s door, exposing himself fully to the enemy, in order to place accurate and devastating suppressive fire on the enemy positions. Shortly after dawn, his helicopter was struck with a burst of enemy machine gun fire and the pilot was mortally wounded. Lance Corporal Antone immediately rushed to administer first aid. When the co-pilot began to lose control of the aircraft due to battle damage to the flight control system, he immediately came to his aid, and, by skillfully applying pressure to the flight controls, enabled the co-pilot to successfully autorotate the aircraft into a rice paddy. On the ground, he calmly and courageously assisted in carrying his stricken pilot to another helicopter which landed nearby, knowing full well that the area was infested with hostile forces. En route to a medical facility, Lance Corporal Antone resumed his efforts of administering first aid in an attempt to save his pilot’s life. He was largely responsible for preserving the lives of the remaining helicopter crew members and contributed materially to the successful evacuation of the Marine Reconnaissance Team. Lance Corporal Antone’s courage, initiative and inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.