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 Second Lieutenant (Medical Service Corps) Chester E. Duncan (ASN: 0-2335875), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 March 1968. Second Lieutenant Duncan distinguished himself while serving as Aircraft Commander of a helicopter ambulance engaged in an aeromedical evacuation near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Duncan’s mission was to evacuate many seriously wounded soldiers from an area receiving heavy enemy ground fire. The proposed landing zone was high on the side of a steeply rising heavily wooded ridgeline, which did not afford an area to actually sit the helicopter down. Displaying doubtless courage and skillful control of the helicopter assistance, he hovered his new totally vulnerable helicopter along the face of the ridgeline attempting to get as close as possible to the wounded patients. As the crew chief and medical attendant precariously hung out of the aircraft and began to laboriously pull patients into the safety of the ship, it became the target of intense enemy ground fire. Second Lieutenant Duncan held the aircraft at a steady hover, completely exposed to the ground fire until all available patients were loaded, then deftly departed the area. Immediately upon delivering the patients to medical aid, he voluntarily returned to the same area. Fully realizing the degree of hazard involved and in the face of heavy fire he successfully evacuated another load of wounded. Once again he returned to the aid of the wounded, holding the helicopter steady over the wooded mountain side. Twice the aircraft was hit by enemy fire but with fortitude and determination as his strength and guidance, Second Lieutenant Duncan remained until the last of the wounded were safely evacuated. Through his courage, determination, and exceptional sense of responsibility the evacuation mission was brought to a highly successful conclusion. Second Lieutenant Duncan’s heroic actions 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.