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 Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Walter J. Knight, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 21 January 1970 while serving as an aircraft commander with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Warrant Officer Knight was flying in a fire team in support of ground elements of the 1st Squadron that had encountered a battalion size enemy force. Upon identifying friendly and enemy positions he began placing extremely accurate fire toward the enemy position. With the enemy breaking contact, the friendly troops were given an opportunity to reorganize and initiate a ground offensive. While receiving intense anti-aircraft fire from an enemy emplacement Warrant Officer Knight accurately marked the site for the other helicopters. As the platoon leader’s aircraft rolled in on target, he received a deadly hail of machinegun fire, hitting the craft. In order to draw the enemy’s fire from the platoon leaders’ helicopter he rolled in, without any covering fire aiding him, and destroyed the emplacement. He was fully aware throughout the entire contact that artillery and air strikes were directed within close proximity of the targets. His actions aided in destroying heavy gun emplacements, routing an ambush and inflicting numerous enemy casualties. Warrant Officer Knight’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.