The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Norman R. Stocker, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 1 June 1970, First Lieutenant Stocker launched as Copilot aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the medical evacuation of several Marine casualties who had been extensively wounded by enemy mines. Arriving over the designated location, he observed that, when the tall elephant grass was parted by the downdraft from the rotor blades, the entire field was literally seeded with mines. Unwilling to risk additional casualties by allowing any member of the crew to walk about the area, the pilot conceived an imaginative plan whereby one of his men was lowered on the mechanical hoist to where each casualty lay, waited on the spot while the wounded man was lifted into the aircraft and then was picked up and moved to the next stricken man. For approximately an hour, First Lieutenant Stocker played a large part in this successful operation. Fully aware that the slightest miscalculation on his part could drag either the crewman or a casualty in the grass and thus detonate other mines, resulting in additional injuries and possible damage to his helicopter which would cause it to crash in the minefield, he carefully monitored his instruments and equipment and provided the pilot with precise flight information which enabled that officer to move at an even level over the area and hover over each casualty with complete steadiness. With the fall of darkness, it was necessary to utilize the exterior lights both to aid the crewman in his examination of the casualties and to maintain terrain reference. By so doing, he thus became a vulnerable target for automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire which enemy soldiers delivered at his aircraft from several different directions. Undaunted by this adversity and the low state of his fuel supply, he steadfastly continued his determined efforts with calm deliberation until all casualties had been embarked and the transport was directed to the nearest medical facilities at DaNang. First Lieutenant Stocker’s courage, superb airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in face of grave personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous lifesaving mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.