The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Benny D. Rinehart (MCSN: 0-72921), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 June 1969, Major Rinehart was the Section Leader of a flight of two AH-1G Cobra helicopters which coordinated and provided cover for the successful insertion of four Marine reconnaissance teams deep into enemy-controlled territory southwest of An Hoa. The following day, he returned to the operational area to support the emergency extraction of one of the patrols which had sustained several casualties while engaged in combat with a large hostile force. Although the first helicopter attempting the extraction was damaged by hostile fire and forced to abort the mission, Major Rinehart remained on station and, undaunted by the intensity of the enemy fire directed at his aircraft, fearlessly maneuvered his Cobra on repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that the enemy fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable the second CH-46 to hoist the beleaguered patrol and one prisoner out of the precautious area. On 19 June 1969, in response to an urgent request to extract two more of the reconnaissance patrols, Major Rinehart completely disregarded his own safety as he resolutely maneuvered his gunship on low-altitude passes to deliver smoke rockets to screen the transport helicopters from the enemy and then boldly executed repeated rocket and strafing runs which succeeded in silencing the enemy fire, thus enabling the reconnaissance teams to be safely hoisted out of their dangerous positions in the dense jungle terrain. When a member of one of the teams became endangered while suspended on the extraction cable during the flight to the nearest base, Major Rinehart quickly selected a landing site, directed his flight to prepare the landing zone with its remaining ordnance, skillfully coordinated the landing of the extraction aircraft, and provided cover while the Marines left the hoist cable and climbed into the helicopter. Major Rinehart’s courage, superior airmanship, 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.