The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Alan C. Macaulay, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot of UH-34D helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-161), in the Republic of Vietnam. During the late evening of 5 June 1965 and early morning of 6 June 1965, Captain Macaulay flew two separate and unrelated medical evacuation flights into landing zones well forward of friendly lines to evacuate wounded Marines. Both flights were executed under blackout conditions on an exceptionally dark night. During the first mission, guided only by the light of a flashlight, Captain Macaulay landed his aircraft in a narrow ravine with only slight rotor blade clearance, embarked the wounded Marine, and flew him to medical facilities. Approximately three hours later, he was called upon to execute a similar mission. Upon arriving at the general location of the casualty, he sighted a light on the ground, but was unable to positively identify the light as emanating from a friendly source. Despite the unknown condition of the landing zone and the fact that no positive identification had been made, Captain Macaulay elected to land. The source of the light proved to be the location of the stricken Marine and the evacuation was completed successfully. By his courageous actions, exceptional aeronautical skill and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Macaulay prevented the possible loss of two Marine’s lives and upheld 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 Alan C. Macaulay, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 15 April 1969, Major Macaulay launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned a medical evacuation mission near DaNang. Arriving over the designated area before the gunships arrived, he decided to attempt the extraction without their aid due to the serious condition of the casualty, and an approaching thunderstorm. Upon maneuvering his aircraft into a hover over the pick-up zone he was informed that the hoist did not reach the ground. Subsequently lowering his helicopter below the level of the treetops he maintained a hover for ten minutes until the Marine was aboard, then rapidly transported him to a medical facility. Immediately thereafter, Major Macaulay was directed to extract three seriously wounded Korean Marines for whom two previous medical evacuation attempts had failed when the aircraft were badly damaged by enemy fire. With the aid of suppressive fire from two supporting gunships he successfully accomplished his mission under hostile fire. A few hours later, he launched on a medical evacuation mission to extract three wounded members of a Marine reconnaissance team which was surrounded by the enemy and under a heavy volume of fire. By the time he arrived over the designated area, the number of casualties had increased to seven and the team requested that all eight members of their unit be extracted. Under the covering fire of escorting gunships, he fearlessly ignored the hostile fire directed at his aircraft and landed on a small knoll. Remaining in the hazardous area for twenty-five minutes, until all the Marines were safely aboard, he rapidly departed the landing zone and transported the men to DaNang. Major Macaulay’s courage, superb aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of several men and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.