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) Michael D. Bates (ASN: W-3159579), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 10 October 1968 while serving as pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while piloting the Air Cavalry Troop Commander’s UH-1C helicopter on a search for an enemy unit, Warrant Officer Bates landed his helicopter to allow the commander to join the Aero Rifle Platoon. Upon takeoff, his aircraft received heavy enemy fire and he immediately called for the scout team and led them in a low level search for the enemy position. When one of the OH-6A scouts was downed by the intense enemy fire, Warrant Officer Bates quickly maneuvered his aircraft to provide direct overhead cover for the downed helicopter. Realizing that the crew chief of the downed aircraft was critically injured and that there was no landing site large enough for his aircraft, Warrant Officer Bates began circling the crash site at low level in order to direct a smaller helicopter into a small landing zone adjacent to the downed aircraft. Although his own aircraft was under heavy enemy fire, Warrant Officer Bates continued to hover over the crash site until the safe evacuation of the injured crew chief was accomplished. He then remained in the area and assisted the troop commander and the Aero Rifle Platoon in reaching the crash site to secure the downed aircraft. Warrant Officer Bates’ outstanding flying ability, unwavering devotion to duty and great personal courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Michael D. Bates (ASN: W-3159579), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 20 November 1968 while serving as pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date when the Tactical Operations Center of the regiment suddenly came under intense anti-tank grenade and mortar attack, five friendly soldiers were critically wounded in the early moments of the fierce engagement. Upon hearing a request for a medical evacuation helicopter, Warrant Officer Bates immediately dashed to his aircraft and flew to the besieged base. Although the friendly base was in a completely blacked out condition and was still under an intense grenade and mortar attack and the defensive perimeter had been breached at several points, he landed his aircraft, picked up the wounded personnel and successfully flew them to an evacuation hospital. In spite of extreme danger, he returned to the friendly base and successfully evacuated the remaining casualties. Warrant Officer Bates’ exceptional courage and concern for the lives and welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Michael D. Bates (ASN: W-3159579), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 29 October 1968 while serving as pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of Bien Hoa, Warrant Officer Bates was conducting a reconnaissance mission in conjunction with friendly ground forces when his aircraft received intensive small arms and automatic weapons fire from an enemy force of unknown size. Warrant Officer Bates maneuvered his aircraft at tree-top level over the enemy elements, enabling his gunners to direct highly-accurate machine gun fire upon them. Once the enemy position had been silenced, Warrant Officer Bates’ aircraft was again engaged by enemy automatic weapons fire. He immediately maneuvered the helicopter out of the landing zone and directed his door gunners to engage the hostile force. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Warrant Officer Bates continued to maneuver his aircraft over the enemy, directing his gunner’s fire, relaying the enemy’s position to the friendly ground units and directing the re-supply of the ground elements. He continued in this capacity until darkness, when a dense fog forced him to return to his base of operations. Warrant Officer Bates’ dedication to duty and exceptional courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Michael D. Bates (ASN: W-3159579), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 23 January 1969 while serving as the Troop Commander’s Pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, in the vicinity of Lai Khe, while Warrant Officer Bates was conducting a routine reconnaissance mission, his aircraft suddenly began receiving heavy automatic weapons fire from a well-concealed and heavily-fortified enemy base camp. Reacting instantly, he began maneuvering his aircraft through the heavy enemy fire in order to pinpoint the enemy positions and allow the troop commander to guide his platoon through the jungle. When reinforcements arrived, Warrant Officer Bates, disregarding his personal safety, maneuvered his aircraft at tree-top level over the hostile positions in order to drop smoke grenades upon the hostile fortifications, marking them for air and artillery strikes. As the fierce engagement progressed Warrant Officer Bates, under heavy enemy fire, landed the troop commander in the middle of the battle area to allow him to direct the ground assault on the hostile forces. Returning to the air, Warrant Officer Bates, still under heavy anti-aircraft fire, directed the insertion of a rifle company and continuously flew over the enemy base camp in order to relay important information regarding enemy movements to the troop commander. Warrant Officer Bates’ 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant Michael D. Bates (ASN: W-3159579), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 2 June 1969 while serving as an Aircraft Commander with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Lieutenant Bates was called on to support an infantry engagement with heavily armed enemy units at Xuan Loc. After maneuvering his fire team into position, it began to receive a barrage of anti-aircraft fire from an enemy heavy machine gun emplacement. Realizing that the limited visibility required that his team would have to fly low over the area of contact, Lieutenant Bates, with complete disregard for his own safety, attacked the position at low altitude and slow air speed. Exposing himself repeatedly to the hail of enemy rounds, he was finally able to neutralize it with accurate rocket and minigun fire. Lieutenant Bates’ courage, exceptional flying ability and unwavering devotion 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.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Michael D. Bates (ASN: W-3159579), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 1 December 1968 while serving as pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in spite of intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, Warrant Officer Bates piloted the troop commander over the scene of a fierce engagement in order to allow him to direct the assault upon the hostile positions and mark them for airstrikes. When additional helicopters arrived at the scene late in the day to re-supply the ground troops with ammunition, the supply ships immediately came under intense enemy fire and one helicopter was shot down. Disregarding his personal safety, Warrant Officer Bates maneuvered through the heavy anti-aircraft fire in order to locate the downed helicopter. Upon pinpointing the damaged aircraft he turned his spotlight upon it until ground forces managed to reach it and rescue the crew. He then continued to fly the troop commander over the hostile positions until they were overrun. Warrant Officer Bates’ 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.