The  President of the  United States  takes  pleasure  in presenting the  DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to

for service as set forth in the following

              CITATION:

                   "For  heroism and  extraordinary  achievement  in  aerial  flight while  serving  as  a  Pilot  with Marine Medium Helicopter  Squadron  364,  Marine  Aircraft  Group Sixteen,  First Marine Aircraft Wing  in  connection with combat operations  against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.   On the  afternoon  of  25  August  1969,  First  Lieutenant  Britton  launched  as Section Leader  of a flight of  two CH-46  transport helicopters  assigned the emergency mission  of helilifting  reinforcements to a Marine unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a large  North Vietnamese Army force north of Landing Zone West  in Quang Nam Province.   Embarking  his first incre- ment  at  Landing  Zone  Baldy,  he  proceeded  to  the  designated area and resolutely  ignored  the   intense  hostile  fire  directed at  his  aircraft  as  he skillfully  coordinated  his  approach  with  the  fire of supporting gun ships, landed  in  a  fire-swept  area,  debarked the  Marines,  and lifted  out of  the hazardous  zone.  Following  the successful insertion of the second and third increments,  First  Lieutenant  Britton  responded  to  an  urgent  request  to extract  thirty-four  Marines,  including  four casualties,  who  were  isolated from their unit and  in imminent danger of  being overrun  by a numerically superior hostile force which had managed to gain positions to the  front and on both flanks of the  Marines.   Undaunted by  darkness and  the extremely heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire, he fearlessly maneuvered his CH-46 into the precarious area,  extracted the beleaguered Marines, quickly return- ed  them  to  their parent unit,  and then  proceeded to  Landing Zone Baldy with the casualties.  When informed of an emergency request to resupply the embattled  Marine unit  with ammunition,  First  Lieutenant Britton  unhesi- tatingly responded.   Acquiring  a double  external  load  of  ammunition, he completely  disregarded  his own safety as he braved  the intense  hostile fire for the fifth time that day to enter the perilous area and discharge the vitally needed  cargo.   First  Lieutenant  Britton's  courage,   superior  airmanship, and  unwavering devotion to duty in  the face of great personal  danger were instrumental  in accomplishing  the hazardous  mission and were in  keeping with  the highest  traditions of  the Marine Corps  and of  the  United  States Naval Service."