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 First Lieutenant Francis A. Pommett, Jr., United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Pommett distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 February 1967 while serving as pilot of a helicopter ambulance during the emergency evacuation of casualties from dense jungle near Phan Thiet. As Lieutenant Pommett approached the pickup point at night to make a difficult cable hoist evacuation of the wounded man, his aircraft received heavy enemy ground fire. He quickly flew clear of the area, turned off all of the helicopter’s lights and returned to the pickup site under blackout conditions. The insurgents threw up a barrage of intense machine gun fire, but he held the aircraft in a stable hover until the casualty was hoisted aboard. While he was leaving for a field hospital, he received a request to return to the pickup site for another seriously wounded man. Ignoring the danger to himself because another man’s life was imperiled, Lieutenant Pommett hurried back to the dangerous zone. The Viet Cong again filled the air around the ambulance helicopter with machine gun fire, but he hovered motionlessly until the second patient was aboard. His courageous flying under these critical conditions was instrumental in saving the lives of two men who otherwise would have died of their wounds. First Lieutenant Pommett’s outstanding 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.