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 Daniel S. Gressang, III, United States Army, for heroic action on 22 December 1962 while serving as a co-pilot of a CH-21C helicopter at Van Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Gressang, who was flying his aircraft in support of a Republic of Vietnam Army assault force, was informed by radio prior to landing in the attack area that it was under direct hostile small arms fire. However, he continued the landing operation since he realized that his load of Vietnamese soldiers were an important part of the assault. After Warrant Officer Gressang successfully unloaded his troops, his aircraft came under direct fire from the front and side during take-off. As a result of this hostile fire, the pilot was fatally wounded and Warrant Officer Gressang became the aircraft commander. Although the helicopter had sustained eleven hits and was seriously damaged, he successfully flew the aircraft to safety. Warrant Officer Gressang’s leadership and heroic action under fire reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.