The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Ronald Eugene Heald (MCSN: 0-73991), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Six (VMO-6), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 May 1967, Major Heald launched as Section Leader of two armed UH-1E helicopters and as Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) in support of an emergency extraction mission of a Marine reconnaissance team surrounded by a numerically superior enemy force. After arriving over the beleaguered ground unit, he was informed that the Marines were unable to move to a more advantageous landing zone due to the severity of one of the team member’s wounds. Realizing the urgent need for immediate fixed-wing air strikes to cover the extraction attempt by a CH-46A transport helicopter, Major Heald unhesitatingly made repeated low level runs to ensure that enemy positions were clearly marked for attacking jet aircraft. Fearlessly exposing himself to the concentrated fire from concealed positions, he succeeded in locating the Viet Cong positions and subsequently directed fixed-wing bombing and rocket runs on the enemy. Despite the heavy volume of suppressive fire provided by the support aircraft, the transport helicopter made two attempts to extract the Marines and was forced to abort each landing due to intense ground fire. On the third attempt, the evacuation helicopter successfully extracted the casualties by hoist, however, it received numerous hits which damaged the fuel system. Because of the severe damage to the CH-46A aircraft and the low fuel and ammunition supply of the UH-1E helicopters, all aircraft were forced to depart the area and return to Tam Ky. While his helicopter was being refueled and rearmed, Major Heald closely examined the hits to the CH-46A and was able to estimate the approximate locations of the enemy weapons from the relative positions of the hits in the aircraft and the position of the CH-46A as it hovered over the reconnaissance team. With this information, he returned to extract the remainder of the Marine unit. As the wounded had been evacuated, the team could maneuver and Major Heald directed them to a suitable landing zone for an extraction attempt. When the team signaled that they were ready, he directed the supporting jet aircraft in delivering their ordnance with pinpoint accuracy on the hostile positions. Under the cover of the suppressive fire, the transport helicopter successfully landed, embarked the Marines and safely lifted out of the zone. As the helicopter maneuvered out of the area, the enemy opened fire on the aircraft, however, Major Heald immediately silenced the hostile weapons with accurate machine gun fire. His aggressive and determined efforts throughout the extraction mission were an inspiration to all who served with him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the mission. Major Heald’s steadfast courage, superior aeronautical ability and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.