The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John J. McNamara, III, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 22 April 1969, First Lieutenant McNamara launched as Aircraft Commander of the second aircraft in a flight of two CH-46D transport helicopters assigned the emergency evacuation of a reconnaissance team that was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force approximately five miles southwest of An Hoa in Quang Nam Province. Advised by his supporting gunship that the zone was unsuitable for a landing and that the Marines were temporarily pinned down by the enemy, he obtained the equipment necessary to conduct a ladder extraction and proceeded toward his objective. Arriving over the designated area and informed that the hostile unit was within thirty meters of the reconnaissance team. First Lieutenant McNamara decided to attempt an immediate extraction. Skillfully hovering high above the beleaguered unit, he resolutely maintained his exposed position, despite the intense enemy fire, while the Marines secured themselves to the ladder. Subsequently departing the dangerous zone, First Lieutenant McNamara debarked the Marines at An Hoa without sustaining friendly casualties. His bold initiative and superior aeronautical ability inspired all who observed them and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission. First Lieutenant McNamara’s courage, superb airmanship and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.