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 Captain David Talbot, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Talbot distinguished himself on 22 March 1971 while serving as aircraft commander of an unarmed UH-1H medical evacuation helicopter during an emergency extraction of wounded troops in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Talbot flew to the extraction site through extremely adverse weather and found the landing zone was receiving enemy mortar rounds. When it seemed the mortars had stopped impacting in the area, Captain Talbot then landed the helicopter while three patients were loaded aboard before renewed enemy mortar fire forced him to depart the landing zone. The ground unit almost immediately called and requested he return because of one man they felt would not survive unless evacuated. Captain Talbot landed amidst impacting rounds and three more men were brought aboard. While departing the landing zone, a round burst beneath the aircraft wounding several people on the ground. Captain Talbot returned, after flying the first wounded men to safety, to evacuate the remaining casualties. Captain Talbot’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.