The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant William B. Ring, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 21 August 1968, First Lieutenant Ring launched as Aircraft Commander aboard the third aircraft in a flight of three CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to support Marine operations in the Thuong Duc area. Arriving over the designated logistic support area, First Lieutenant Ring was orbiting the site when the landing zone came under intense hostile mortar, recoilless rifle and small arms fire that wounded numerous Marines. Realizing the seriousness of the situation he unhesitatingly elected to attempt the medical evacuation of the casualties. Undaunted by the heavy volume of enemy fire that forced the first helicopter to lift out of the hazardous zone after evacuating two of the wounded, First Lieutenant Ring fearlessly maneuvered his CH-46 into the fire-swept zone and calmly waited while five injured Marines were embarked. Expeditiously departing the site when a hostile mortar round impacted near his helicopter, he delivered the casualties to the Marble Mountain Air Facility and unhesitatingly returned to Thuong Duc to assist in the extraction of the remaining personnel. First Lieutenant Ring’s courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of five Marines and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.