The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Ernest C. Cunningham, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as Operations Officer with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 17 December 1968, Major Cunningham launched as Aircraft Commander aboard a CH-46 transport Helicopter assigned to insert elements of a Marine infantry battalion into enemy controlled territory east of An Hoa in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he commenced his approach to the landing zone and came under a heavy volume of hostile fire. Disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly entered the position and steadfastly remained in the hazardous location until every Marine had debarked from his aircraft. As he departed the area, his helicopter received intense hostile small arms fire and sustained battle damage. After skillfully assessing the condition of the aircraft, Major Cunningham unhesitatingly elected to continue the mission and resolutely directed his helicopter to the An Hoa Combat Base to embark additional Marines. On four more occasions, he fearlessly returned to the fire-swept site, adeptly executing low-altitude, high-speed approaches to minimize his exposure to the continuous enemy fire and boldly inserting his passengers. Major Cunningham’s courage, superior aeronautical ability and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Ernest C. Cunningham, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 14 April 1969, Major Cunningham launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned to medically evacuate the crew of another transport which had crashed in a heavily-wooded area approximately twelve miles south of DaNang in Quang Nam Province. Despite the deteriorating weather conditions and approaching darkness, he decided to attempt the rescue and, arriving over the designated location, came under a heavy volume of enemy fire. Alertly pinpointing the hostile emplacement, Major Cunningham directed the suppressive fire of his crew, thereby temporarily silencing the enemy fire. Establishing a steady hover close to the burning helicopter, he ably supervised the rescue operation, which lasted almost an hour. With complete disregard for his own safety and the ammunition detonating inside the downed aircraft, Major. Cunningham resolutely maintained his exposed position until the wounded Marines had been embarked. His bold initiative and superb aeronautical ability inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. Major Cunningham’s courage, aggressive leadership and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Ernest C. Cunningham, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 February 1969, Major Cunningham launched as Pilot of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the mission of extracting a reconnaissance team in heavy contact with a numerically superior enemy force west of DaNang in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he commenced an approach to the landing zone and immediately came under such a heavy volume of fire that he was forced to abort his rescue attempt. After Marine artillery fire missions and gunship strafing runs had been conducted against the hostile positions, he maneuvered his aircraft toward the beleaguered Marines’ location a second time but was again forced to abort due to intense enemy fire. Realizing the necessity to quickly extract the reconnaissance team from the hazardous area, Major Cunningham fearlessly executed a low-altitude, high-speed approach through the heavy volume of fire and skillfully backed his CH-46 into a clearing near the ground unit’s position. Despite turbulent winds and the lack of a visible horizon to utilize as a reference point, he resolutely maintained the aircraft in a hover with the boarding ramp touching the side of the hill. Having embarked the reconnaissance team, he then departed the area and returned the unit to DaNang. Major Cunningham’s courage, superb aeronautical ability and steadfast devotion to duty at great personal risk inspired all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.