The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Billy D. Bouldin, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer of Marine Observation Squadron Six, Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 18 April 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Bouldin launched as Wingman in a flight of two armed UH-1E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency medical evacuation of casualties from a United States Army unit heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Tri Province. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions, total darkness, and hazardous mountain terrain, he skillfully navigated his aircraft to the designated area, where he was informed that the friendly ground troops were under intense hostile fire from three sides. Undaunted by the heavy volume of enemy anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Colonel Bouldin fearlessly maneuvered his gunship on repeated strafing runs and delivered such highly effective suppressive fire that the transport helicopters were able to land, embark twenty-three wounded men, and depart the dangerous area. While re-fuelling and re-arming his aircraft upon its return to the Quang Tri Combat Base, he was informed that the same ground unit had sustained two additional casualties who required immediate medical evacuation. Resolutely proceeding to the hazardous area, Lieutenant Colonel Bouldin completely disregarded his own safety as he boldly maneuvered his gunship through the intense North Vietnamese fire and executed repeated strafing runs against the hostile positions. As a result of the devastating effectiveness of his attacks, the enemy fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable the casualties to be extracted. Two hours after returning to his base, Lieutenant Colonel Bouldin was assigned to provide cover from the emergency re-supply of ammunition to the same embattled United States Army unit which was under a determined North Vietnamese attack in an attempt to breach the defensive perimeter. Oblivious to the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire, he again skillfully maneuvered his helicopter on strafing runs and delivered such accurate suppressive fire that the attack was repelled and the transport aircraft was able to discharge its critically needed cargo. Lieutenant Colonel Bouldin’s courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the fact of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous missions and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.