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 William E. Callender, Sr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight as a member of Company A, 227th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter). Captain Callender distinguished himself by heroism in action on 19 September 1966, while leading a section of two UH-1D lift helicopters during combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Captain Callender voluntarily led a reinforcement and subsequent extraction mission into the area of intense enemy activity. As Captain Callender led his flight of fully loaded aircraft on final approach into the landing zone, he received a radio transmission from one of the two supporting gunships indicating it had received hostile automatic weapons fire from an area bordering the point of touchdown. Although the threat of hostile fire was imminent, Captain Callender elected to continue his flight in order to deliver the badly needed reinforcements. As the heat of battle intensified, Captain Callender led three additional lifts into the area. After two hours of close combat the size of the enemy force was still undetermined, and the decision was made to extract the friendly elements before dark. As part of larger flight of six aircraft, Captain Callender was still leading his section. As his flight approached the pick-up zone for the initial extraction, it began receiving enemy automatic weapons fire. Captain Callender bravely continued through the fire to touchdown, without benefit of his own machine guns as by then the friendly forces had become intermingled with the Viet Cong. Miraculously unscathed, Captain Callender patiently waiting for the infantry to break contact and board. During two subsequent extractions, Captain Callender continued to display the same high degree of courage. Although flying under the cover of only one gunship which could not adequately cover the battle area, the mission was accomplished without serious incident. Captain Callender’s display of personal bravery and determination is keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.