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 Laurence W. Conover (AFSN: 0-66052), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-43F helicopter near Binh Thuy, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 February 1968. On that date, Captain Conover flew a rescue and recovery mission in which his precision flying, unerring judgment, and exemplary leadership resulted in saving the lives of six combat aircrew members. On two separate occasions during the night Captain Conover flew his helicopter into hostile areas to rescue the crewmembers of a downed United States Army medical helicopter and a pilot who had bailed out of a damaged F-100 fighter aircraft. Despite hostile ground fire on the first pickup, and the lack of armed cover on the second, Captain Conover expertly maneuvered his helicopter into the hostile areas and recovered the downed personnel in a minimum of time, thus assuring their safe return to friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Conover reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.