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 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 8 April 1969,  Fist Lieutenant Monaghan  launched  as  Copilot  aboard  a  CH-46 transport  helicopter  assigned  the emergency  medical evacuation of a  casualty from  a nine-man  Marine reconnaissance  team  which  was  heavily  engaged in combat  with  a  large  North Vietnamese Army force deep  in  enemy-controlled territory in  Quang Nam Province.   When the decision  was made to extract  the entire team and the outnumbered Marines moved with the wounded man toward a  river,  First Lieutenant Monaghan  skillfully  monitored   his instruments  and equipment and  provided a continuous flow of  vital information which  enabled his pilot to avoid the tall trees  and execute a hover with a portion of his aircraft submerged  in  the  river.   Unable  to  break  contact  with  the hostile  unit, the Marines  fought  their  way  to  the  river's  edge  and  began  wading out to  the helicopter  while continuing  to return  fire  on the  enemy.   Undaunted  by  the intensity of the hostile fire directed  at  his  aircraft,  First Lieutenant Monaghan ably  assisted  his pilot at the  controls as his  CH-46 remained  in  its precarious position until all members of the reconnaissance team had boarded the aircraft.  When the water inside the aircraft caused its nose to suddenly pitch  into the air as it was lifting out  of the river, endangering  the passengers who started to  fall toward  the open ramp, he expertly  recycled the ramp to close before any of the Marines  were  washed  overboard.    Although  his aircraft's  rotor  blades  were cutting tree  branches and water was  draining  from  the fuselage,  he  remained calm and  expertly provided precise  clearance data as his helicopter lifted out of the perilous area and departed for  the nearest medical facility.   First Lieutenant Monaghan's courage, superior airmanship, and  unwavering devotion to duty at great personal  risk were  in keeping  with the  highest  traditions  of the  Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."