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 Major (Corps of Engineers) Bobby L. Sanders (ASN: 0-77188), 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, 1st Aviation Brigade, in action on 27 November 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Sanders distinguished himself while serving as mission commander on a combat operation. Having been advised that an eighty man special forces team was surrounded and in close contact with the enemy, Major Sanders immediately organized his extraction team and led it to the site of the battle. With calm determination he directed the assault with such effectiveness that the enemy pulled back from the surrounded perimeter. He then ordered his slick ships into the area, but the approach was so hazardous and the landing zone so small that he was required to direct each aircraft into the area. After guiding the seventh aircraft into the area, he made the approach himself. The high trees and small size of the landing zone required him to hover at 120 feet, and assisted by his crew, who watched on all sides as the aircraft was forced to descend straight down, he was able to bring the aircraft to a hover one foot over the bomb crater that comprised the entire landing zone. After holding the ship steady for the time it took for seven men to board, he brought the aircraft up vertically one hundred and twenty feet with barely enough room to clear the rotor on all sides. The entire operations was completed under intense fire from the enemy. 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.