The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Raymond K. McCullough, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Officer-in-Charge, Detachment FIFTY-NINE of Helicopter Support Squadron TWO, embarked in U.S.S. FORRESTAL (CVA-59) and as pilot of a UH-2! Helicopter during a rescue flight performed on the morning of 15 January 1966. While on a mission to assist survivors of a VC-47 aircraft which crashed in Greece on the slopes of Mount Helmos at an elevation of 7,680 feet, Lieutenant Commander McCullough maneuvered his helicopter in six attempted landings on the snow- and ice-covered surface in the face of high winds and severe turbulence. Because of the critical flight conditions which existed, he then elected to lower the medical officer by hoist, following which he finally succeeded in maneuvering his helicopter to a safe landing in a small snow-covered area bordered by an ice cliff and a sheer bluff. After evacuating two survivors to safety, he returned to the rescue scene and made another landing to pickup rescue personnel.