The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the third 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 4 November 1969, First Lieutenant Schoener launched  as  Section Leader of a flight of  two CH-46 transport  helicopters  assigned  the  emergency  medical  evacuation of two seri- ously wounded Marines from a unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile  force  in an area of the  Que Son Mountains approximately twenty miles southwest  of  DaNang.   Arriving  over  the  designated  area,  he found that the landing  zone was located on  the top of a  hill,  was surrounded  by  seventy-five foot tall trees, and that  adverse weather conditions of a low ceiling varying from 200 to 300 feet,  rain  showers, and  strong winds  which gusted  to 25  knots  per hour  would severely  restrict visibility  and his  area of maneuverability over the rugged mountain terrain.  Undeterred,  First Lieutenant Schoener boldly maneu- vered  his aircraft to a  landing among the tree stumps and muddy bomb craters, maintained his precarious position until  the casualties were  placed aboard, and then  departed  for  Landing Zone Baldy.   Despite  deteriorating  weather condi- tions,  he  elected  to  attempt  the   extraction  of  two more  wounded  Marines  from another infantry unit operating in the Que Son Mountains.   Proceeding to the beleaguered unit,  First Lieutenant Schoener  was informed that the  Marines had been receiving intense small arms and  automatic weapons  fire from a  well- entrenched  enemy  force   along  a  ridge  line  overlooking   the  landing  zone.  Skillfully coordinating  his approach with  the  fire  of  supporting  gunships,  he commenced  his descent to the  landing zone and had  reached an altitude of 200 feet when he came under an extremely heavy volume of hostile fire.   Undaunted by the  intensity of the enemy fire and the  difficulty of  maneuvering his  CH-46 over  the hazardous terrain  under exceptional adverse weather conditions,  First Lieutenant Schoener resolutely continued his  approach and skillfully executed a partial hover with his rear wheels touching the ground.  With complete disregard for his own safety, he steadfastly remained  in  his  dangerous  position until  the wounded  Marines  were  embarked  and  then  safely  departed  the  area.   First Lieutenant Schoener's  courage, superior  airmanship,  and unwavering devotion to  duty  in  the  face  of  great  personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."