The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of 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 1 June 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Williams distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of a UH-1D helicopter engaged in combat assault operations near Tan An. On both lifts of a two lift insertion conducted in total darkness, his aircraft came under extremely intense enemy automatic weapons and RPG fire. The landing zone was covered with brush six to eight feet high, requiring that the aircraft be terminated to a hover, a position vulnerable to murderous enemy fire. Once clear of the landing zone on the final lift, he received a call for emergency med-evac and resupply into the same area. Again his aircraft came under a barrage of machine gun and RPG fire, as he landed in total darkness. With the supplies unloaded, it was discovered that the enemy fire was too intense for wounded to be moved to his location and he was forced to depart. Nevertheless, he contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission. 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.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Warrant Officer One (WO-1)Action Date:
March 12, 1968
Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.orgThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of 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 12 March 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Williams distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of a UH-1D helicopter on a visual reconnaissance near Cho Dem. Two enemy were spotted in a sampan and Warrant Officer Williams obtained permission to open fire on the foe. The enemy took refuge in a nearby house, yet he skillfully directed a continuous barrage of suppressive fire upon them. A squad of infantry was requested and he twice performed a single ship combat assault on the enemy. Upon completion of the assault, he orbited and immediately spotted enemy soldiers moving out of the area. Responding quickly, he landed his aircraft and summoned the ground forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, Warrant Officer Williams landed his helicopter beside enemy suspects on three separate occasions and each time the suspect was immediately confirmed as a foe. 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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Warrant Officer One (WO-1)Action Date:
January 25, 1968
Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.orgThe 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.