The  President  of  the  United  States  takes  pride  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 night of 26 June 1969, First Lieutenant Mac Harg  launched as Section Leader of a  flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned  the emergency medical  evacuation of four  Marine casualties from  an unsecure zone in a  densely-jungled,  mountain- ous  area in Quang Nam Province.  Arriving over  the designated area,  he found that  the location of the wounded men in a heavily wooded area on  the side of a ridge  would necessitate a hoisting operation.  Undaunted by  the constant threat of  enemy fire and  the  hazards encountered  in maneuvering  his aircraft in  the darkness over the rugged  terrain, First Lieutenant Mac Harg turned on  his heli- copter's  running  lights  to  facilitate  the  efforts  of  the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) in  guiding him and skillfully maneuvered to a hover above  the pick- up site.  As he lowered his hoist, his CH-46 came under intense hostile fire which caused  him to abandon his extraction  attempt.  Reacting  instantly and  calmly when one of the boost systems and his number one engine failed as  he lifted out of the  precarious area,  First Lieutenant Mac Harg  initiated emergency proced- ures,  jettisoned  fuel,  and  expertly  maintained  his  controls as he  directed his aircraft down  the slope until he  managed to obtain a fluctuating function of his engine.  Skillfully  maneuvering  his  crippled  helicopter  over  the mountainous terrain,  he reached  a nearby secure  zone and  executed a safe emergency  land- ing.  First Lieutenant Mac Harg's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in saving the  lives of  his  crew  and  preventing  the  loss  of  a  valuable  aircraft  were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."