The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Robert Gerald Czaus, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-163), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 October 1967, Captain Czaus launched on a routine medical evacuation mission and was subsequently requested to evacuate a seriously wounded Marine from an area which required a hoist extractions and was constantly under enemy sniper and automatic weapons fire. Upon arriving in the vicinity of the ground unit’s location, the Marines were directed to identify their exact position with smoke grenades, however, due to the dense jungle canopy which covered the selected pickup site, three passes were completed over the area before the approximate location of the Marine was determined. After establishing a hover position above the hazardous trees, Captain Czaus utilized verbal instructions from the ground unit and his crew members to reposition his aircraft directly above the unit. As the hoist was lowered, the evacuation aircraft was repeatedly struck by automatic weapons fire. Although three rounds hit the windshield, spraying glass and foreign objects inside the cockpit, he steadfastly maintained his precarious hover position until he was informed that the wounded man was aboard the aircraft and then departed the fire-swept area. Despite damage to one fuel cell, which resulted in a dangerously low fuel supply, Captain Czaus demonstrated outstanding airmanship and calm presence of mind and safely transported the injured Marine to a medical facility. Captain Czaus’ exceptional aeronautical ability, bold determination and unwavering devotion to duty at great persona risk contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.