The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the second DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to

for service as set fourth 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  28  April  1969, First Lieutenant Donovan  launched  as  Aircraft Commander of  a CH-46 trans- port helicopter  assigned the  mission  of  inserting  a  reconnaissance  team  into enemy-controlled territory approximately twenty miles southwest of  Da Nang in Quang  Nam  Province.   Arriving  over  the objective, he  initiated  a high-speed approach to the zone and, encountering intense hostile fire, used evasive maneu- vers to climb to a safe  altitude.   Selecting  an  alternate  point  of  debarkation, First Lieutenant Donovan skillfully approached  the designated area and, direct- ing his aerial gunners to deliver suppressive fire  at  suspected  hostile  positions, successfully  landed the aircraft.   When  the  helicopter ramp  was  lowered,  the aircraft came under a heavy volume of  small arms and  automatic weapons  fire from a  large and  well-concealed  North Vietnamese Army  force.   After leaving the  hazardous area,  First Lieutenant Donovan  was subsequently informed that two Marines had left the helicopter during the  fire fight and were heavily engag- ed in combat with the enemy.   Reacting  instantly and  with complete  disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly re-entered the fire-swept zone and, undaunted by the hostile rounds impacting near  him, resolutely maintained his  exposed  posi- tion while the Marines boarded the aircraft.  After departing the dangerous area, he  transported  the team  to a more advantageous  location.  His  bold initiative and superb airmanship inspired all who  observed  him and  contributed  signifi- cantly to  the accomplishment  of the vital  mission.  First Lieutenant Donovan's courage,  superior aeronautical  ability  and unswerving  devotion to  duty in the face of  extreme personal  danger  were in keeping  with the  highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."