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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Jack M. Swickard, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 118th Assault Helicopter Company, in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Swickard distinguished himself on 14 May 1967 while serving as the aircraft commander of an armed transport helicopter near Cau Song Be. Though the enemy force was known to be heavily armed with automatic and anti-aircraft weapons, he flew low level into the landing zone, completely surrounded by Viet Cong, to rescue the nearly decimated force of Vietnamese troops. His helicopter made five sorties into the landing zone, a narrow roadway cutting through a thick jungle area. During takeoff from the landing zone he hovered straight up through 110 feet of trees with ten heavily loaded soldiers aboard his aircraft before being able to fly forward. Though two of the extractions were made with armed helicopter cover, the last three were made unescorted after the gunships were forced to return to their field to refuel. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.