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.  On  12  February 1969,  First  Lieutenant  Larue  launched as  Wingman in a  flight of  two CH-46 transport  helicopters  assigned   the  emergency  medical   evacuation  of   seven casualties from a Second Republic of Korea Marine Brigade unit  heavily engag- ed  with a hostile force south of DaNang.  Electing  to continue the mission when his section leader's aircraft developed control difficulties and was forced to  land in a  nearby friendly  position, he commenced  his approach to  the landing zone but  was  forced to wave  off because  of the intensity of  the  enemy  fire.  Coor- dinating his next approach with four supporting Marine gunships, First Lieuten- ant Larue, undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of hostile rocket-propelled grenade,  rocket, mortar, small arms, and  automatic weapons  fire directed  into the landing  zone, skillfully maneuvered his CH-46 to a landing  in the fire-swept area, embarked  the  wounded  Korean Marines, and  departed  for  the  medical facility at DaNang.  When  informed  that  the  friendly  unit had sustained eight additional casualties who required immediate evacuation, he resolutely  returned to the hazardous area and fearlessly  maneuvered  his helicopter through intense enemy  fire to land in the dangerous area.  Oblivious to  the  hostile  rounds  im- pacting near his CH-46, he boldly remained i n his dangerously exposed position for  approximately  ten  minutes  to  ensure that all the wounded were embarked before  lifting out of the perilous area and departing for DaNang.   First Lieuten- ant Larue's courage,  superior airmanship 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."