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 Silver Star to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Douglas M. F. Womack (ASN: RA-11586621), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 18 March 1971, while serving as an Aircraft Commander with the 71st Assault Helicopter Company. On that date, the company was conducting an emergency re-supply of retreating South Vietnamese ground elements. After several successful evacuations under fire throughout the day, the tactical situation had rapidly deteriorated at dusk. Having overheard an interpreter state that the handful of garrison troops could not sustain the inevitable North Vietnamese Army attack, possibly forced to leave the litter wounded behind, Warrant Officer Womack turned his helicopter toward Firebase DELTA. Anticipating the enormous risk, and as a safety precaution, both pilots in the helicopter were on the controls. As the helicopter began its rapid descent, the North Vietnamese Army heavy machine gunners immediately recognized that there would be no air support and instantly started using tracers. As the helicopter rapidly descended through murderous fire erupting from at least three 12.7-mm. anti-aircraft positions, he monitored critical instruments and ignored warnings from the Air Mission Commander to break off the approach. Upon touchdown, mortar rounds immediately enveloped his helicopter. Despite the pleas from his Air Mission Commander to abort, Warrant Officer Womack remained in the landing zone until all wounded soldiers were safely on board. Departing through an intense mortar barrage and heavy automatic weapons fire, he successfully departed Firebase DELTA. His extraordinary gallantry in the face of grave danger resulted in thirty-one South Vietnamese troops being evacuated, all of whom would have died had it not been for his efforts. Warrant Officer Womack’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 23d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.