The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Robert G. Whaley, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron Six, 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 afternoon of 1 March 1969, Major Whaley launched as Section Leader in a flight of two OV-10 Bronco aircraft assigned to support the emergency medical evacuation of twenty-four casualties from two adjacent Marine positions along a ridge in a mountainous area of Quang Tri Province. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions, including a ceiling of 700 feet and reduced visibility to approximately one mile caused by rain and haze, he maneuvered his aircraft over the hazardous terrain to the designated area. Upon contacting the ground units, he was briefed on the tactical situation and informed that the beleaguered Marines were under constant North Vietnamese mortar fire. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire directed against his aircraft and the constant danger of maneuvering among the mountains which were partially obscured by clouds, Major Whaley fearlessly executed repeated low-altitude rocket and strafing runs against the enemy emplacements and delivered his ordnance with devastating effectiveness, enabling two CH-46 transport helicopters to land in the first position, embark the wounded Marines, and depart for the nearest medical facility. Upon return of the extraction aircraft to the second zone, he continued to deliver extremely accurate suppressive fire, often releasing his ordnance while maneuvering his Bronco up the slope of the mountain toward the friendly site on the ridge. As a result, the second increment of casualties was safely extracted from the dangerous area. Major Whaley’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.