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 (Artillery) [then First Lieutenant] Richard F. Head, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous actions on 3 April 1967 while serving as the pilot of a helicopter in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate), on a mission to extract a wounded member of a reconnaissance element of the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry. A previous attempt had been unsuccessful and had resulted in a Dustoff helicopter being shot down. Without regard for his own safety, Captain Head volunteered to take the mission. He located the unit in the dense jungle, made his approach and was taken under heavy hostile fire, but succeeded in landing and loading the wounded man aboard. He then took off, again under fire, and returned to the base camp. Captain Head’s outstanding display of flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.