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 Gary W. Joyner, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous action on 31 March 1965 while serving as pilot of an armed helicopter in the Republic of Vietnam. His mission was to fly an escort aircraft on an air assault conducted in an area occupied by the Viet Cong. After participating in a pre-strike of the landing zone, Warrant Officer Joyner’s craft helped escort the first lift of nineteen troop ships into the landing zone. When his aircraft became the target of intense hostile fire, he immediately engaged the Viet Cong positions and suppressed their fire at close range. After all the troop ships had successfully cleared the landing zone, Warrant Officer Joyner returned to the staging area to rearm and refuel. He then learned by radio that one more aircraft remained in the landing zone and, with complete disregard for his personal safety, he returned to its aid. Although his craft was hit several times, he made two passes through the zone and engaged the Viet Cong at close range killing several. Suddenly all but two of the aircraft instruments went to zero. By virtue of his exceptional flying ability and determination he helped to maneuver the craft into autorotation. He assessed the damage and determined that the aircraft could fly and avoided death or capture of the entire crew. The heroic actions of Warrant Officer Joyner were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.