The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Donald J. Presto, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Section Leader in a two-plane section of CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters on 10 April 2003 while attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Major Presto performed courageously in the conduct of a casualty evacuation mission in the vicinity of Baghdad in support of Regimental Combat Team 5. He maneuvered his section into one of Baghdad’s most heavily defended areas and through numerous small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attacks in order to evacuate critically wounded Marines. After he positioned his section on the ground to load the wounded, the ground unit’s forward air controller warned him about enemy sniper fire. He lifted his aircraft into a high hover and positioned it broadside to the snipers and directed the crew chief to return suppressive fire This action ceased enemy fire and allowed the safe evacuation of the wounded Marines. By his superb airmanship, inspiring courage, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Major Presto reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.