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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Donald E. Williams, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 191st Assault Helicopter Company, in action on 25 January 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Williams distinguished himself while serving as aircraft commander of a UH-1D troop carrying helicopter engaged in the extraction of an allied unit pinned down by an enemy force near Tan Tru. On the first extraction, his ship came under intense enemy fire, but he remained undaunted and skillfully landed end departed the area without incident. Volunteering to return to the hostile area, he again came under murderous barrages of hostile fire. While departing the area one ship received several hits, forcing it to land 500 meters from the pick up zone. With complete disregard for his own safety he landed by the downed ship and directed the troops to form a defensive parameter. When darkness had set in Warrant Officer Williams turned on his navigation lights and rotating beacon to assist the gunships in locating the downed ship. Once all equipment and the crew of the downed ship were aboard his aircraft, he skillfully flew his heavily laden ship through a hail of enemy fire to safety. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.