The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Field Artillery) Kenneth E. Rubin (ASN: 0-5406362), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Rubin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while flying a smoke laying helicopter in support of a combat assault north of Tra Co, Republic of Vietnam. He began preparation for the assault by laying smoke along the heaviest defended tree line. He flew through a hail of enemy ground fire to accomplish his mission. Although wounded by shrapnel as a result of several hits, he placed another smoke screen just ahead of the landing slicks. He noticed two troop carrying helicopters go down as a result of enemy fire. Award of the danger involved, he quickly flew directly between the enemy forces and the two downed aircraft, putting smoke in the eyes of the enemy. This action enabled another aircraft to land and rescue the crews. Captain Rubin’s courage and professionalism are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Field Artillery) Kenneth E. Rubin (ASN: 0-5406362), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Rubin distinguished himself on 1 August 1967 while flying as Aircraft Commander and Fire Team Leader of two armed helicopters on a reconnaissance mission in the Rung Sat Special Zone. He was covering the main shipping channel between the South China Sea and the Saigon dock complex, when he received a distress call from a commercial ship that had been ambushed by a group of insurgents. When he arrived in the area, he made several low level passes over the area and spotted the insurgents in a well camouflaged position. During the firing pass, the enemy set off a command detonated bomb that rocked the aircraft and damaged the hydraulic systems. After regaining control of his badly damaged aircraft, he continued the attack until all ammunition was expended. Through his highly accurate fire, four enemy had been killed and the position badly damaged. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.