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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Pennell Joseph Hickey (ASN: 0-59361), United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, In action near Polei Kleng, Republic of Vietnam. Company A, 3/8th Infantry, had been in heavy contact with an estimated regiment-sized reinforced and well-entrenched North Vietnamese element and was desperately in need of reinforcements and supplies. The enemy was in control and forced from the 3/8th Infantry were unable to penetrate to the area where wounded and dead were believed to be situated. On 4 March, Lieutenant Colonel Hickey directed a Combat Assault into a hot landing zone near the hill where Company A was still in contact. At approximately 1125 hours, Lieutenant Colonel Hickey approached the landing zone in his command OH-6 helicopter, and was met with heavy automatic and small arms fire. Attempted to combat assault Company B and C into the landing zone were unsuccessful, as the well concealed enemy positions raked the aircraft nearing the landing zone, and mortar rounds made landing extremely hazardous. Lieutenant Colonel Hickey remained oved the area until his combat assault ships had safely moved to a secure area, and then called in gunships and heavy artillery on the enemy’s positions. During this time his craft continued to draw enemy fire, and the pilot frequently was forced to take evasive actions. At 1330 hours a second combat assault was attempted, withy Lieutenant Colonel Hickey in the vanguard. Once again the enemy’s fire forced the combat assault ships to remain aloft, and Lieutenant Colonel Hickey directed them to safety. With his troops clear of the landing zone, Lieutenant Colonel Hickey remained over the area of contact and called in gunships and artillery, directing and adjusting the fire by flying at tree-top level over the enemy positions, chancing a direct hit in order to insure proper placement of his supporting fir. At 1540 a third attempt was made to combat assault in the two companies. Lieutenant Colonel Hickey called in gunships to support his combat assault aircraft, and while his troops were unloading, directed the fire of the gunships from his Light Observation Helicopter. Twice enemy rounds smashed into the cabin of his craft, but Lieutenant Colonel Hickey remained at a low level in order to direct his troops in setting up a perimeter and forming an assault. The enemy continued to zero in on the Command Ship, and it weas only by his concise and calm directions that the command ship was able to stay aloft, while Lieutenant Colonel Hickey adjusted the fire of his gunships and the movements of his troops. Lieutenant Colonel Hickey’s outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.