The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) David L. Porter, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidence by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 23 January 1970 while serving as a pilot with the Aero Scout platoon, Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting a visual reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Porter was notified of an enemy force erecting anti-aircraft positions in the dense jungle northeast of Loc Ninh. He volunteered to search the suspected area for enemy but found it difficult to see due to the triple canopy jungle below so he flew at tree top level and low air speed. As he began receiving intense ground fire, he marked the position with smoke and directed the rocket fire from gunships. After refueling and rearming his craft, he returned to the contact area to make an assessment of the damage and again came under intense anti-aircraft fire. After marking the positions from the gunships, the command and control helicopter assumed control of the contact while directing and adjusting artillery. Due to the heavy cover of smoke and dust it was necessary for Lieutenant Porter to hover over the area at tree top level relaying intelligence information to his gunship. He came under heavy enemy fusillade and returned the fire. First Lieutenant Porter’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.

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) David L. Porter, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 26 December 1969 while serving as a pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Lieutenant Porter was flying a reconnaissance mission near the Cambodian border when he suddenly received a heavy barrage of ground fire from an enemy force. Lieutenant Porter marked the position with smoke for approaching gunships. After the gunships had fired upon the enemy he returned to assess the damage and was fired upon again. Although at a minimum distance from exploding bombs from a tactical air strike, he remained at a low altitude observing and inspecting the hostile forces. Drawing fire throughout the day, his aircraft was disabled and forced to make an emergency landing. He immediately boarded another craft and returned to the contact area. First Lieutenant Porter’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.

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) David L. Porter, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 2 January 1970 while serving as a pilot with the Aero Scout Platoon, Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting a visual reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Porter located some enemy soldiers and immediately began receiving heavy enemy fire. Lieutenant Porter immediately flew into the enemy fire placing intense counter fire on the enemy positions and marking the positions with smoke grenades. He continued to attack the enemy positions making five strikes into the enemy area to direct artillery and air strikes against the large hostile force. Lieutenant Porter’s courage and dedication to duty accounted for defeat of the large enemy force and the destruction of a large enemy bunker complex. First Lieutenant Porter’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.