The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) to Captain Dale H. Strawn, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 5 April 1967, while conducting a mission northeast of Song Mao in Binh Thuan Province, Republic of Vietnam, as Forward Air Controller for Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry. Company C, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry and Company A of 3d Battalion, 44th Aviation Regiment were pinned down by heavy automatic weapons fire from a North Vietnamese Army Company, entrenched in strongly fortified positions. An urgent request was made for air support. Because his O-1E aircraft was grounded for maintenance, Captain Strawn had to use a UH-1D helicopter to direct an air strike on the enemy positions. To enable him to use the helicopter’s radio and to allow him better vision, Captain Strawn moved to the co-pilot seat of the helicopter. As soon as the helicopter was airborne, he began making preparations for the air strike. He coordinated the arrival of the Air Force jets to coincide with his own arrival at the battle scene. However, due to the dense foliage in the area and separated locations of friendly units, precise coordination with the jets as to the exact target was extremely difficult. It was necessary to make several low passes at near treetop level to pinpoint the enemy bunker and trench system with smoke grenades. Even though he knew the enemy force was equipped with automatic weapons, Captain Strawn repeatedly guided his aircraft at treetop level directly over enemy positions to ensure accurate marking by the smoke grenades dropped by the crew. As a result of his courage, calmness, and skill as Forward Air Controller, the jet aircraft were able to expand their munitions precisely on target. So effective was the strike, the enemy force of 100 men abandoned their positions. Captain Strawn’s display of personal bravery and devotion to duty stand in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force.