The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robin J. Tomlin, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO, Provisional Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Nine, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 24 April 1969, First Lieutenant Tomlin launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the mission of extracting a seven-man reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged with a numerically superior hostile force and had sustained several casualties while operating in a mountainous area of Quang Tri Province. Although informed that two other CH-46 aircraft had been downed in the same area by a heavy volume of enemy fire, and fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions, First Lieutenant Tomlin boarded a reaction force and departed for the designated area. Although there were no flare ships available and the landing zone was marked only by a single flashlight, he fearlessly commenced a perilous approach into the dangerous zone and, utilizing the helicopter’s search light, which made him a vulnerable target for hostile fire, he skillfully guided his helicopter through the mountainous terrain to the only available landing site. Carefully backing his transport into the site with only the ramp touching the ground, he resolutely maintained his dangerously exposed position for the considerable length of time necessary to disembark the reaction force and embark the reconnaissance team, and the crews of the two downed aircraft. Displaying superb airmanship, he then safely maneuvered his heavily-loaded aircraft out of the enemy area. His heroic and determined efforts inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of a vital mission. First Lieutenant Tomlin’s courage, superior aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty in the fact of grave personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.