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  7  May  1969,  First Lieutenant Harris  launched  as Copilot  aboard  the  lead aircraft  in a  flight of three  CH-46  transport  helicopters  assigned  the mission of  inserting a Marine reconnaissance team into an area near a  suspected enemy  base camp five  miles southwest of An Hoa.   When his aircraft encountered intense hostile ground fire during its first approach to the landing zone and  was forced to abort its landing attempt, he skillfully monitored his gauges, maintained constant radio commun- ications with supporting aircraft, and provided  a continuous flow of vital  infor- mation which enabled  his helicopter to be maneuvered to a  landing  in an alter- nate insertion site.  While the eight-man team was disembarking,  it came  under an  extremely  heavy volume  of enemy  small arms and  automatic weapons  fire and quickly  began  to  reboard  the CH-46.   Advised  that  all the Marines were aboard,  First Lieutenant Harris  was  assisting  his  pilot  to  lift  out of the area when he  received  a report  that three team  members  were still on  the  ground. Undaunted by  the intensity  of the hostile fire directed against his helicopter, he calmly manned his equipment  and instruments  and aided  at the controls  as he boldly assisted  in maneuvering his  CH-46 to a  landing  and resolutely  aided in maintaining his aircraft in its dangerously  exposed position until  the three men had embarked.  As the CH-46 began to lift out of the dangerous area, one of the team members was struck by an enemy round  and thrown from the ramp to the ground.   When  informed  of  the incident,  First Lieutenant Harris  ignored  the heavy volume of hostile fire  as he provided precise flight data which enabled his helicopter to land in the dangerous area and steadfastly remain  in its precarious position for  the fifteen minutes required  for two Marines to locate the seriously injured  and  unconscious   man,  carry  him  to  the  helicopter,  and  place  him aboard.   He then cleared his pilot to  lift out of the hazardous area and proceed to  the  medical  facility at An Hoa.   First Lieutenant Harris'  courage,  superior airmanship  and  unwavering  devotion  to  duty  in  the  face  of  great  personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of several of his fellow Marines  and were  in  keeping with  the  highest  traditions  of  the  Marine  Corps  and of the United States Naval Service."