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 Warrant Officer William D. Saunders, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 24 April 1970. Warrant Officer Saunders distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as an aircraft commander providing assistance in a tactical emergency involving a combat assault into the area surrounding Dak Seang. While approaching to land to complete a troop insertion in a known enemy stronghold, he began to receive enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. He quickly assessed the situation and guided his aircraft out of the area while his crew placed an intense volume of suppressive fire onto the enemy positions surrounding the landing zone. Deciding to make a second approach into the landing zone from another direction, he was on short final when the enemy opened up with an intense volume of small arms, automatic weapons and rocket fire, forcing him to abort his approach. Quickly making a sharp left turn to avoid overflying the landing zone, he skillfully maneuvered out of the area, while directing his crew’s suppressive retaliatory fire upon the hostile positions. When the aircraft sustained a number of rounds in the engine compartment as well as in other areas and the pilot noticed a fluctuation in the engine speed, Warrant Officer Saunders decided to make a precautionary landing at Dak To II Airstrip to evaluate the extent of the damage. Displaying outstanding flying ability and sound judgment, he brought his badly damaged ship safely down, preventing further damage to the aircraft. 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.