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 Captain (Infantry) William Daniel Telfair (ASN: 0-5315164), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Captain Telfair distinguished himself on 3 February 1966 while serving as Aircraft Commander on the second helicopter in a light fire team during a mission to provide aerial cover for a Vietnamese ground unit engaged in a search and destroy mission at Dinh Dien Dak Menou, Republic of Vietnam. Upon entering the area where a Vietnamese battalion had been ambushed and had sustained heavy casualties, Captain Telfair’s fire team began to make firing passes on the Viet Cong. On two successive runs through .50 and .30 caliber automatic weapons fire, Captain Telfair directed a devastating barrage of rocket and machine gun fire on the insurgent’s positions within 20 meters of the friendly troops. His fire team effectively held the Viet Cong down and enabled the friendly troops to initiate a withdrawal. Although Captain Telfair’s helicopter was struck by hostile fire, rendering the communications equipment and flexible machine gun inoperative, he continued on with the mission. On the third firing pass, Captain Telfair further exposed himself to intense automatic weapons fire while expending his rockets on the Viet Cong force. This final run enabled the embattled battalion to complete their withdrawal and call in friendly artillery fire. Through his courage, determination, and devotion to duty, he saved the lives of many Vietnamese comrades. The heroic actions of Captain Telfair were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.