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 Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW-2) Clarence P. Burkett, Jr., United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 8 October 1969, while serving as an aircraft commander with the Aviation Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he was on a courier flight when he received word that another helicopter had been shot down by enemy fire. Although he was unfamiliar with the area of the crash, he volunteered to evacuate the injured crew members. By making repeated low-level passes over the area, he finally located the wreckage. Warrant Officer Burkett directed his aircraft down over the dense vegetation covering the area and hovered low enough for his crew to jump to the ground. Despite the hostile fire to which his helicopter was exposed, he continued to hover for fifteen minutes until the injured men were loaded on board. He then flew safely from the area and delivered the casualties to a nearby medical facility. Chief Warrant Officer Burkett’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO-2) Clarence P. Burkett, Jr., United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam.