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CORPORAL DOUGLAS P. DIETZ UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: "For heroic 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 23 July 1970, Corporal Dietz launched as an Aerial Gunner aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency extraction of a Marine reconnaissance team which had sustained two casualties while heavily engaged in combat with a North Vietnamese Army force in a densely-jungled mountainous area northwest of DaNang. Undaunted by the intensity of the enemy fire directed at his aircraft during its approach to the pick-up site, he provided a steady stream of accurate and highly effective machine gun fire which suppressed the hostile fire sufficiently to enable his transport to establish a steady hover approximately one hundred feet above the beleaguered patrol and remain in its precarious position until the more seriously wounded of the two casualties was hoisted aboard. After the medical evacuee was transported to the hospital at DaNang, his flight returned to the extraction site. Ignoring the heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire, Corporal Dietz again skillfully manned his weapon and boldly delivered such effective suppressive fire that his helicopter was able to be maneuvered to a hover and remain in its dangerously exposed position until all of the Marines had attached themselves and their remaining wounded comrade to the extraction ladder which had been lowered down through the heavy jungle canopy to the ground. His transport then lifted out of the dangerous area and proceeded to Landing Zone 401. Corporal Dietz's courage, superior professionalism, and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keep ing with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service." FOR THE PRESIDENT, WILLIAM K. J S LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. . MARINE CORPS COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC |
