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) David M. Shinn, United States Army, for heroism, while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Shinn distinguished himself on 29 October 1971 while serving as helicopter pilot during a visual reconnaissance mission in the Republic of Vietnam. By following an enemy trail in an area southeast of Dau Tieng, he discovered three enemy bunkers. The helicopter suddenly came under intense enemy small arms fire, wounding both he and his observer, and badly damaging the aircraft. Since his controls were damaged, he momentarily lost control of the aircraft, but managed to bring it out of a spin and fly to a nearby airfield. Although Warrant Officer Shinn’s tail rotor controls had been completely damaged, he managed to make a perfect landing. His actions were directly responsible for saving the lives of his crew and preventing the loss of his helicopter. Warrant Officer Shinn’s outstanding flying ability 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.