The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Transportation Corps) Patrick N. Delavan, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 4 April 1964 in connection with military operations involving conflict with an opposing force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Delavan was serving as a Helicopter Company Commander and leading eight armed helicopters on a mission to provide support to a Vietnamese ground force under heavy attack when he encountered the hostile battalion which had overpowered a strategic hamlet and had the remaining friendly forces surrounded. As the support force arrived in the combat zone and was met with a great volume of enemy automatic and small arms fire, Major Delavan completely disregarded his own personal safety, ordered the other helicopters to stay out of range, and bravely placed his aircraft in the most precarious positions to estimate the tactical situation. Then, with fortitude and professional skill, he led five separate helicopter maneuvers against the insurgents which neutralized part of the enemy force. After he refueled his aircraft and returned to lead the second operation, the enemy had set up a 50 caliber machinegun as an anti-aircraft weapon. Major Delavan then undauntedly elected to approach the area alone instead of sending in an unarmed medical evacuation aircraft when a seriously wounded American ground advisor with the besieged Vietnamese unit requested medical evacuation. Although his helicopter was damaged by the 50 caliber gun fire which wounded him and three crew members, he continued the approach, landed in view of the enemy and, ignoring his own injury, personally loaded the casualty. After transferring the wounded advisor to the medical evacuation aircraft, he courageously returned to the scene of action and directed the support operations. Through his decisive leadership, determination, and brave actions, the company of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam was saved from annihilation. Major Delavan’s gallantry and extraordinary heroic conduct are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.