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  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.  Late on the night of 5 June 1969,  First Lieutenant Casciano  launched as Section Leader of  a flight of two  CH-46 transport helicopters assigned  the emergency medical evacuation of three  casualties  from  an  Army of  the  Republic  of  Vietnam  unit  which  was heavily  engaged in combat with a hostile force five miles southwest of  DaNang. Arriving  over  the designated area,  he found that  the  friendly unit  was  under intense  mortar,  small arms, and  automatic weapons fire and that the condition of one of  the wounded men  was  extremely critical.  Despite  the  difficulties  of maneuvering  his aircraft  in the darkness  over the hazardous  mountain terrain and  a dense ground  haze  which  further  restricted  visibility,  First  Lieutenant Casciano,  guided  only  by a  flashlight at  the western edge of the landing zone, commenced  his approach  to the confined zone.  When  his  CH-46  reached  an altitude  of  200 feet,  it suddenly  came  under  an  extremely  heavy  volume  of enemy  fire  and was struck by  several round which  caused him  to abandon his landing  attempt.  However, after rapidly assessing the damage  and  performing several system checks, he found that all systems  functioned properly and elected to  continue  his vital  mission.  Undaunted  by  the  intensity of  the  hostile  fire directed at his CH-46, First Lieutenant Casciano  coordinated his approach with the fire of  supporting gunships, boldly maneuvered  his aircraft to a  landing  in the  small  zone,  and  fearlessly  remained  in  his precarious  position  until  the casualties were embarked.  Lifting  out of  the dangerous area,  he then departed for the hospital at  DaNang.  First Lieutenant Casciano's courage,  superior  air- manship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the  face of great  personal danger were  instrumental in  the accomplishment of the hazardous  mission  and  were  in keeping with the  highest  traditions of  the  Marine Corps and  of  the United States Naval Service."