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 (W-1) Joseph W. Todd, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. Warrant Officer Todd distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of an armed helicopter in support of friendly infantry. He was making a close reconnaissance of a pickup zone to insure that the transport aircraft would not be taken under fire while performing the extraction. Five hundred feet from the pickup zone his ship began receiving heavy automatic weapons fire. He noticed the instruments and radios had all been knocked out and the crew chief had been shot several times and was bleeding intensely. He set the aircraft down in a clearing to assess damages and enable the crew chief to receive first aid. The aircraft was heavily damaged, with no instrumentation or fuel control and two hits through the engine. It was evident that the crew chief needed medical attention. Warrant Officer Todd elected to jettison the rocket pods and then skillfully maneuvered the critically damaged aircraft to a nearby hospital, thus saving the crew chief’s life. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.