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 Specialist Fifth Class Thomas E. Foust, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 23 March 1969, while serving as a helicopter door gunner with the Aviation Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while the regimental commander’s command and control helicopter was conducting an aerial reconnaissance operation, the aircraft suddenly came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Specialist Foust, who was a member of the crew, immediately began placing accurate suppressive fire on the hostile positions. Although he was constantly exposed to the enemy fusillade, he continued raking the hostile emplacements with devastating fire until several enemy troops attempted to escape from the area. As the pilot made a pass over the fleeing soldiers, Specialist Foust killed six of them with accurate bursts of machine gun fire. He then isolated three of the enemy in a clump of trees and kept them pinned down with suppressive fire until a friendly ground element arrived and captured them. Specialist Fifth Class Foust’s outstanding 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.