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 Chief Warrant Officer (CW-2) Douglas W. Farfel, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 19 February 1970 while serving as a helicopter pilot with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Warrant Officer Farfel was flying on a visual reconnaissance mission when he received a radio message of suspected enemy movement. Upon arrival at the scene, Warrant Officer Farfel began making several low level passes in order to draw the insurgents’ fire. Upon receiving intense automatic weapons fire on one pass, he used the proper phasing maneuver and was able to extricate the craft from the area. Next, he positioned the helicopter so as to afford the S-3 the maximum advantage to call in and adjust artillery. Afterward, while making a visual inspection of the area and the damage, Warrant Officer Farfel spotted several pieces of equipment strewn near a bunker complex. As he landed the aircraft in a nearby clearing, he observed a communist soldier running toward the tree line. Every attempt was made to allow the soldier to surrender but he would not comply. Warrant Officer Farfel quickly maneuvered the aircraft so that the door gunner could fire. The pilot then returned to the bunker complex and set the helicopter down. Then, the door gunner assaulted a bunker which contained an insurgent while Warrant Officer Farfel provided protective fire. Once the insurgent was eliminated, Mister Farfel assisted in loading on board the packs which later were found to contain valuable intelligence information. Chief Warrant Officer Farfel’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.