Da Nang - A Marine helicopter pilot and his crew chief teamed up to make a daring night reconnaissance extract, 25 miles southwest of Da Nang. First Lieutenant David L. Cross (Pitcarin, Pa.), and Cpl. Joseph Dobosz (St. Joseph, Mo.), of HMM-364 were flying recon missions when an emergency extract call was received.

A recon patrol had come up against an enemy force large enough to outflank them.  Making their final defensive stand in a bomb crater, the surrounded Marines requested an extract.

While 1stLt. Cross was enroute to the scene, the OV-10 aircraft on station received heavy enemy fire while trying to locate the team's position and call in artillery.  Once on the scene, 1stLt Cross held a quick briefing with his crew then began descending towards the zone.  While maneuvering through the dark, mountainous terrain, matters became complicated when the pilot discovered he was critically low on fuel.

Continuing the mission, the pilot told the crew to drop the ladder and began backing into the zone through a small opening in the trees.  At this time, the only reference Lt. Cross had to guide on was verbal instructions from Cpl. Dobosz who could see a strobe light flashed periodically by the team.  While talking the pilot into the zone, Cpl. Dobosz dashed from window to window checking to ensure adequate clearance for his rotor blades.

As the chopper hovered over the extract zone, enemy automatic weapons fire opened up from a 360 degree circle.  Immediately the machine gunners on the CH-46 and the accompanying Cobra gun ships began covering the area with suppressive fire, while OV-10 Bronco's dropped flares.

With the team on the ladder, Cpl. Dobosz gave Lt. Cross the exit signal.  The 30 seconds it took to clear the zone was spent under fire from enemy guns.