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 (W-1) Donald L. Wittke (ASN: W-160030), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 189th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter), 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 11 December 1968. Warrant Officer Wittke distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Aircraft Commander during the emergency medical evacuation of the crew of a downed UH-1H helicopter in the vicinity of An Khe. After receiving the “Mayday” call on the emergency frequency, he immediately departed the An Khe airstrip in search of the downed aircraft. Arriving over the crash site, he orbited the area as other aircraft attempted to make the extraction. Seeing all attempts fail, he volunteered to make the next try, and started a slow, high overhead approach. At tree-top level they began receiving intense automatic weapons fire from enemy positions near the crash site. For several minutes he maneuvered his aircraft, working his way toward the ground. Once in the landing zone, he established radio contact with the downed aircraft and directed two of its survivors to his ship. He then lifted off and flew to the nearest medical aid station. Warrant Officer Wittke’s exceptional devotion to duty and conspicuous gallantry resulted in the saving of two lives. 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.