The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Harvey A. Tofte (MCSN: 0-44318), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in Korea while serving with a Marine helicopter transport squadron on 8 July 1953. Serving as a pilot, Captain Tofte displayed exceptional courage, professional skill and devotion to duty. He volunteered to evacuate by helicopter a critically wounded Marine from a forward medical company to a hospital ship. Despite prior knowledge that the flight would take place during the hours of darkness over mountainous terrain under extremely adverse weather conditions, he expressed complete disregard for his personal safety and courageously flew to the medical company. After recovering the seriously injured Marine, he dauntlessly flew to the hospital ship through rain and fog and over mountainous terrain in an aircraft not equipped with navigational instruments. His heroic efforts, determination and exceptionally competent airmanship expeditiously delivered the man to the best medical facilities available and aided materially in saving the man’s life. Realizing that no other aircraft were available for emergency evacuation missions, he returned to the squadron’s forward echelon through the same hazardous flying conditions in order to make his aircraft available for any future evacuation missions. Captain Tofte’s alertness, efficient action and devotion to duty served as an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.