The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Thomas M. Nequette, 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 combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 2 February 1969, First Lieutenant Nequette launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned an emergency medical evacuation near An Hoa in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he orbited the zone while an escorting gun ship strafed the enemy positions to suppress the hostile fire. Commencing his approach, Fist Lieutenant Nequette was forced to abort his first attempt to land. Aware that two of the evacuees were in critical condition, he fearlessly made a second approach, and despite the heavy enemy fire, darkness, and adverse weather conditions, successfully entered the landing zone without illumination and extracted five wounded Marines. First Lieutenant Nequette’s courage, superb aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.