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 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 afternoon of 21 September 1969, First Lieutenant Schoener  launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46  transport  helicopter  assigned  the  mission  of extracting a six-man Marine reconnaissance team which was heavily  engaged in combat  with a  large North  Vietnamese  Army  force  in  a mountainous  area  approximately  twenty miles southwest of DaNang.  Arriving over the designated area, he  was informed that the beleaguered patrol had moved along the side of  a ridge to a steep  slope in an area strewn with large  boulders  and  surrounded by tall  trees,  which was deemed  to  be the  most  suitable pick-up site in the immediate area.   Forced to abort his first approach when his helicopter came under intense hostile fire from both sides of his run-in heading, First Lieutenant Schoener skillfully coordinated his second  approach with  the rocket  and strafing  runs of  supporting gunships and OV-10 Bronco  aircraft and,  undaunted by  the extremely heavy volume  of North Vietnamese  fire directed at his  CH-46, maneuvered to a seventy-five foot hover  above  the  embattled  Marines.   With  complete  disregard  for  his  own safety, he lowered his extraction ladder  and remained in  his precarious position until each  member  of  the  reconnaissance  team  had  attached  himself  to  the ladder.   Lifting  out  of the perilous  area with  the Marines suspended below his aircraft, he expertly maneuvered his aircraft over  the rugged terrain to An Hoa.  First Lieutenant Schoener's courage,  superior airmanship,  and unwavering  de- votion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomp- lishing  the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."