The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Lyle D. Monson (ASN: 0-5247104), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 17 March 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 a low level reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Monson located a large enemy force. After marking the hostile positions for airstrikes and helicopter gunship assaults, he engaged the enemy with his minigun and killed one hostile soldier. Despite heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, he remained in the contact area for two hours, directing airstrikes, marking targets and continually raking enemy bunkers with highly accurate suppressive fire. First Lieutenant Monson’s outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.