The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Glenn F. Burgess (MCSN: 0-100907), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with Operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 23 September 1969, First Lieutenant Burgess launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency mission of extracting an eight-man Marine reconnaissance team which had sustained one casualty while surrounded and heavily engaged in combat with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force in a mountainous area approximately five miles southwest of Thuong Duc in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he was informed that, following strikes by OV-10 Bronco aircraft, he could begin his approach to the landing zone. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of hostile ground fire directed at his aircraft and the difficulty of maneuvering in the darkness through adverse weather over rugged terrain, First Lieutenant Burgess skillfully coordinated his approach with the fire of supporting gunships which flanked his helicopter and, guided only by a single strobe light on the ground, maneuvered to a landing with his aircraft’s two main wheels on a ridge and its nose wheel suspended over the edge. With exceptional skill, despite the turbulent winds and the intense enemy fire, he held his CH-46 in its precarious position until the wounded Marine and the remainder of the reconnaissance team had embarked and then departed the perilous area for the nearest medical facility. First Lieutenant Burgess’ courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.