The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Darrell M. Jontz, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 February 1968. Captain Jontz launched as Aircraft Commander aboard a KC-130 transport aircraft assigned a re-supply mission in support of the Khe Sanh Combat Base. Despite low cloud cover, Captain Jontz skillfully commenced a tactical air navigation approach to the besieged airfield and upon landing, immediately came under a heavy volume of North Vietnamese automatic weapons and mortar fire. Realizing that the hostile fire was being concentrated on the loading ramp, he elected to unload the vital supplies at the end of the runway. Undaunted by the intense fire impacting near his aircraft, Captain Jontz fearlessly remained in the hazardous area until the transport aircraft was unloaded. Although fragments from the exploding enemy rounds were striking his aircraft, he calmly maneuvered the KC-130 through the hostile fire and quickly became airborne. Captain Jontz’s courage, superb aeronautical ability, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger inspired all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.