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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Fred J. Van Orden, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 18 June 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting an aerial reconnaissance operation, the troop’s command and control helicopter was shot down by intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant Van Orden observed the crash and immediately flew through the hostile fusillade to a clearing approximately 100 meters from the downed aircraft. For over thirty minutes he remained in the enemy infested area while his observer checked to see whether medical evacuations would be necessary. He did not fly from theirthe area until reinforcements had arrived and the situation was under control. First Lieutenant Van Orden’s courage and concern for the 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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Fred J. Van Orden, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 9 August 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the Aero Scout Platoon of the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he was informed that several enemy troops had been observed in an area west of An Loc. Upon reaching the area, Lieutenant Van Orden spotted two enemy soldiers and killed them with accurate mini-gun fire. When a squad of the troop’s Aero Rifle Platoon arrived to make a search of the area, he directed the two helicopters into an extremely small landing zone and engaged the enemy troops nearby with machine gun and fragmentation grenades. After the ground troops had safely left the aircraft, Lieutenant Van Orden continued to place accurate suppressive fire on the hostile positions. Later when a large enemy force threatened to overrun the search element, he returned to the landing zone and provided protective fire for the extraction of the friendly troops. His heroic actions were instrumental in the success of the friendly operation, which resulted in six of the enemy captured and thirty eight killed. First Lieutenant Van Orden’s courage and determination were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.