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 Charles T. Haskell, Jr., United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Captain Haskell distinguished himself by heroism in action on 24 June 1966 while serving as section commander of a flight of UH-1B helicopters during a combat assault near Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. On the initial assault, Captain Haskell provided outstanding suppressive fire with the grenade launcher and rockets of his helicopter and directed the fire of his wingman on suspected enemy positions. As the lift helicopters were making their landing, the landing zone came under intense enemy fire from a nearby trench. The enemy was employing several automatic weapons and the lift helicopters immediately reported receiving numerous hits. Captain Haskell, identifying the enemy position, led his section on a low level attack on the well entrenched enemy. Captain Haskell appeared to fly through a solid curtain of enemy fire as he accurately directed the weapons of his aircraft in suppressing or destroying the hostile fire. Disregarding his own safety, he made repeated attacks on the enemy, sustaining numerous hits on the initial assault. He broke off his attacks only after the lift was complete and the ground commander had organized his forces for an assault on the enemy positions. Captain Haskell’s professional ability and heroic action are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.