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 Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW-2) Donald Lynn Wann, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in Laos. Chief Warrant Officer Wann distinguished himself on 8 February 1971 while serving as co-pilot and gunner of an AH-1G armed helicopter escorting lift helicopters in support of Army of the Republic of Vietnam troops in Laos. As the lift helicopters approached the landing zone, they came under fire from several enemy anti-aircraft positions, which Chief Warrant Officer Wann immediately sighted and destroyed. He then sighted approximately twenty enemy soldiers moving into fighting positions and, subjecting himself to the hostile fire, placed accurate suppressive fire and silenced the enemy emplacements. After his ordnance was expended, the lift helicopters received hostile fire from the opposite side of the landing zone. With no way of returning fire, he maneuvered his aircraft between the lift helicopters and the enemy positions, blocking the fire intended for the lift helicopters. Chief Warrant Officer Wann’s outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.



