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 opera- tions against  the enemy  in  the  Republic of  Vietnam.  On 6 March 1970,  First Lieutenant Bell  launched  as  Copilot  aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport aircraft  assigned  the medical evacuation of the crew and pass- engers  from  another  transport helicopter  which had  been  downed  by intense hostile  fire in an area  near  Thong Duc in  Quang Nam Province.  Arriving over the designated area, he was  informed that  two previous attempts  to rescue  the men on the ground had been aborted when the aircraft  concerned had sustained extensive  damage  and their crew members  were wounded.  During the airborne briefing, First Lieutenant Bell learned that  the enemy soldiers  occupied  a  well- fortified  bunker  complex in  the mountainous terrain  from  which  they  had  a commanding  view of  approaches to  the beleaguered  Marines and  from which they were  delivering fire  on the downed  men.  While his pilot  maneuvered  the aircraft at a dangerously low altitude, First Lieutenant Bell closely monitored his instruments, remained  alert to assume control  of the helicopter in case of emer- gency and, after skillfully pinpointing the location of  the downed men, provided flight information which  enabled his pilot to land so precisely that the ramp was in  proximity to the waiting Marines.   During the period of time required for the embarkation, the  aircraft was  under  constant  enemy fire  but  First Lieutenant Bell concerned only for the critical condition of the men, displayed exceptional composure as he observed the embarkation proceedings, announced the route of departure  to accompanying gunships,  and then skillfully aided  in applying full power during the high-speed liftoff and departure for DaNang.   First Lieutenant Bell's courage, superior aeronautical ability, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of several fellow  Marines  and  were  in keeping with  the highest  traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."