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  Thirty-Six,  First Marine Aircraft  Wing  in  connection  with  operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.  On the morning of 20 November 1968, during  Operation Meade River,  First Lieutenant Quinlan launched as the Copilot aboard  the second aircraft  in a flight of fourteen CH-46 transport heli- copters  assigned to  helilift the  assault elements  of a Marine battalion  into  an enemy controlled area southwest of DaNang.  Arriving over the designated  area, he diligently  monitored his  instruments and  controls as he  provided  his  pilot with  continuous flow of vital information and directed the delivery of suppress- ive  machine  gun  fire,  enabling  his aircraft to  land and disembark its  assault unit.  Ignoring  the  heavy volume of  hostile fire, he  assisted  his  aircraft  com- mander  in  returning  to  An  Hoa  where  a second  increment of  Marines  was embarked.  Undaunted by the extremely  intense enemy mortar, small arms, and automatic  weapons  fire and  resolutely determined  to continue  the  mission of expediting  the landing of reinforcements for  the heavily  engaged ground  units which  were condoning a  large hostile force, First Lieutenant Quinlan  skillfully aided  his  aircraft commander  in  maneuvering  his CH-46  into  the  fire-swept landing  zone to  disembark the  second assault team.  When  his pilot  was  seri- ously  wounded  during  his  third insertion  approach  to  the  battle  area,  First Lieutenant  Quinlan,  despite  fragment  wounds  and plexiglass  splinters  which injured  his eye  and blurred  his vision,  immediately took  control of the  battle damaged  helicopter,  initiated a spiraling climb  out of  the dangerous area, and skillfully  maneuvered  his crippled  CH-46  to a safe  landing at  An  Hoa.  First Lieutenant Quinlan's courage, superior  airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty  in the face of  great personal danger  were instrumental  in the accomplish- ment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."