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) Michael E. Hawk, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 21 March 1971 while serving as an aircraft commander with Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Captain Hawk, commander of a helicopter gunship was providing the support for a light observation helicopter which was on an aerial reconnaissance mission in Cambodia. Suddenly both aircraft came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire from a hostile force of unknown size. Captain Hawk immediately began firing his armament on the enemy positions suppressing any additional hostile fire upon the light observation helicopter. The light observation helicopter then sustained several enemy hits and was forced to land bursting into flames upon impact. Captain Hawk and his co-pilot unhesitatingly decided to attempt a rescue of the downed crewmen. The expended their ordnance on the enemy soldiers as they descended to hover and finally land beside the downed aircraft. The co-pilot then helped the wounded crewmen aboard the rocket pods of the helicopter gunship. Captain Hawk skillfully evaded the intense enemy fire directed at this aircraft and piloted his overloaded aircraft to a secure position from which the wounded crew members could be medically evacuated. Captain Hawk’s heroic 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.