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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) John R. Ballweg (ASN: W-3152822), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 23 February 1967, while serving as pilot of a UH-1D helicopter of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, on an evacuation mission in the Republic of Vietnam. Monitoring an urgent radio call for an evacuation helicopter to extract five critically wounded personnel, Warrant Officer Ballweg immediately diverted his helicopter toward the evacuation site. Observing a heavy fog bank extending from the ground to 700 feet, Warrant Officer Ballweg fearlessly attempted to slowly descend. However, the fog was so thick that he was forced to utilize instruments to regain sufficient altitude. Flying to the edge of the fog bank he fearlessly entered once more. With virtually no forward visibility and only barely discernable treetops to guide his forward movement, Warrant Officer Ballweg began a slow and intensive search of the area. After fifteen minutes of extremely dangerous searching, the landing zone was discovered and Warrant Officer Ballweg quickly touched down. Voluntarily assisting in the loading of two litter patients, Warrant Officer Ballweg was advised that both men were near death and that immediate evacuation was necessary. Making a perfect vertical assent, he air lifted them to medical evacuation. Warrant Officer Ballweg’s extraordinary heroism, devotion to duty, and outstanding flying ability are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.