The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Clyde O. Childress, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot of an armed UH-1E helicopter 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 Dong Ha, Republic of Vietnam on 18 July 1966. During Operation Hastings, Captain Childress escorted a Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) in support of elements of the Special Landing Force. Immediately after the unit’s landing, it became pinned down by intense enemy automatic weapons fire and several casualties were taken. Due to the proximity of the enemy positions to the Marines front line, fixed wing support was not feasible. It was decided to attack the enemy position with armed helicopters, and without hesitation, Captain Childress began a series of highly accurate rocket and machine gun runs on the Viet Cong emplacements. Hazards of terrain and intense enemy fire made the attack a very dangerous undertaking, and his aircraft received several hits. Nevertheless, he calmly continued his runs until many of the enemy guns had been silenced and his externally mounted ordnance had been totally expanded. Fixed wing aircraft were called in to strike enemy positions farther from the Marine lines, but although all ordnance was dropped on target, several napalm bombs failed to explode. Captain Childress and the Controller then brought their internal M-60 machine guns to bear on the bombs, igniting them with tracers and trapping a number of guerrillas attempting to flee. As a result of the action of the armed helicopters, enemy pressure was relieved from the Marines on the ground and they were able to regroup, reorganize and evacuate all casualties. Captain Childress’ extreme courage, outstanding professional skill and inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.