The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lance Corporal William Ronald Muldrew, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 May 1967, during Operation BEAVER CAGE, Lance Corporal Muldrew launched as Crew Chief aboard a UH-1E armed helicopter on a mission in support of Marine ground units which were heavily engaged with North Vietnamese Army forces. Throughout the day, he aggressively directed intense, accurate M-60 machine gun fire against the enemy and accounted for several enemy confirmed killed. During one firing run, Lance Corporal Muldrew alertly observed a burning, high explosive rocket in the aircraft’s external rocket pod. Realizing the seriousness of the situation and disregarding his own safety, he unhesitatingly moved onto the skid of the aircraft and, standing in the violent wind stream, removed the burning rocket from the pod. Within seconds after he had successfully extracted the smoking rocket and dropped it from the aircraft, it exploded in mid-air. His timely and heroic actions were an inspiration to all who observed him and enabled his aircraft to complete its mission. Lance Corporal Muldrew’s courage, exceptional professionalism and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger undoubtedly saved the lives of his fellow crew members and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.