The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Peter W. Barber, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Barber distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of a utility helicopter on a mission involving a rescue attempt into the besieged city of Quang Tri where a small group of Americans and some South Vietnamese high-ranking officials were holding out against four North Vietnamese divisions. A white team had the task of attempting to slip into the city under the cover of darkness and extract the friendlies. Captain Barber’s duty was to maintain radio communications with the two scouts in the event one should go down. Approximately twenty minutes after the team was airborne, Captain Barber received a distress call informing him both scouts had gone down. He immediately scrambled the two gunships at the staging area and flew at maximum speed, low level, to the crash site. He then skillfully maneuvered his aircraft into the pick-up zone which had been marked by smoke by the downed crews. On short final, Captain Barber noticed a strong enemy force not more than fifteen to twenty meters either side of the downed crews. He ordered his doorgunners to fire a 1500 round uninterrupted burst which caused the enemy to take cover. He then skillfully flew into and out of the pick-up zone without taking any friendly casualties. Due to Captain Barber’s personal gallantry, outstanding professionalism, and calm evaluation of the situation, the extraction was successful. Captain Barber’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.