The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Technical Sergeant William V. Vargas, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life near Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, on 18 June 1965. On that date, Sergeant Vargas participated with other crew members of his HU-16 amphibian aircraft in a hazardous open sea recovery of four survivors of a mid-air collision over the South China Sea. Acting with complete disregard for his own safety, in the face of such adverse conditions as rough seas, physical exhaustion, sea sickness, and aircraft malfunction, Sergeant Vargas persisted in his duties prominently in the successful accomplishment of this life saving mission. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, Sergeant Vargas has reflected great credit on himself and the United States Air Force.