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  as Operations Officer 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 morning   of  17  December   1968,   Major  Cunningham  launched  as   Aircraft Commander aboard a CH-46 transport Helicopter assigned to insert elements of a  Marine  infantry  battalion into enemy  controlled territory  east of An Hoa in Quang Nam Province.   Arriving  over  the designated area,  he  commenced  his approach  to  the landing  zone and came  under a heavy  volume of  hostile fire. Disregarding  his own  safety,  he fearlessly entered the  position and  steadfastly remained  in the hazardous  location until every  Marine had debarked  from his aircraft.   As he departed  the area,  his helicopter  received intense  hostile small arms fire and sustained battle damage.  After skillfully assessing the condition of the aircraft,  Major Cunningham unhesitatingly elected  to continue  the mission and  resolutely  directed  his helicopter to the  An Hoa Combat  Base to  embark additional  Marines.   On  four  more  occasions,  he  fearlessly  returned  to  the fire-swept   site,   adeptly   executing  low-altitude,   high-speed   approaches   to  minimize  his  exposure  to the  continuous  enemy  fire  and boldly inserting his passengers.   Major  Cunningham's  courage,  superior  aeronautical  ability and steadfast  devotion  to  duty  in  the face of  great  personal  danger  contributed significantly  to   the  accomplishment  of  the  hazardous  mission  and  were  in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."