The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Army Award) to Lieutenant Commander George W. Rowell (NSN: 0-605693), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 26 March 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Commander Rowell was serving as Commanding Officer of Helicopter Combat Squadron One. When 175th Aviation Company (AML), United States Army, was locked in combat against a large, well armed force of Viet Cong, Commander Rowell unhesitatingly volunteered to replace a downed Army helicopter by personally flying one of his unit’s aircraft against the enemy. Three United States Army transport helicopters lay disabled in the landing zone controlled by heavy machine gun fire from the well entrenched Viet Cong. Many American aviators and Vietnamese infantrymen of the Ninth Division (ARVN) were wounded and pinned down by the intense automatic weapons fire. Commander Rowell, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, participated in a series of dangerous, low level attacks against the strong enemy positions. Firing his high explosive rockets and flexible machine guns with devastating effect, Commander Rowell provided heroic coverage for several unarmed transports evacuating the casualties. Although receiving intense Viet Cong antiaircraft fire during the attacks, Commander Rowell’s bravery was instrumental in evacuating all of the casualties from positions only meters from Viet Cong machine gun emplacements. Commander Rowell, quickly observing that the ground forces were preparing a counter attack, launched another series of devastating aerial attacks and contributed immensely to the ultimate annihilation of the large communist force. Commander Rowell’s rare and exceptional bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Navy.