The President of the United States  takes pleasure  in presenting a gold star in lieu of the third DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to

for service as set forth in the following

                 CITATION:

                               "For heroism and extraordinary achievement  in aerial flight while  serving as a  Pilot 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 evening of 21 October  1969,  First Lieutenant Harris  launched  as  a  Section  Leader  of  two CH-46  transport   helicopters  assigned  the mission of  inserting  an eleven-man reaction force to reinforce a seven-man Marine reconnaissance team  which  had sustained five casualties  while heavily  engaged  in  combat  with  a  numerically superior  hostile  force  approximately  twenty-one  miles southwest of  DaNang. When extremely adverse  weather conditions prevented the insertion,  he maneu- vered his aircraft on an orbit of the area during the  ensuing  seven  hours  while awaiting an improvement in the weather.  At that time, the weather cleared suffi- ciently to enable  another helicopter to insert  an eight-man reconnaissance team which,  shortly after landing, sustained six casualties.   Undaunted by the intense enemy  automatic weapons  fire directed at his  aircraft,  First Lieutenant  Harris ignored  the  darkness  and  hazardous  terrain  as he  skillfully maneuvered to a landing  near the  wounded  Marines.   After  the  reaction  force  debarked  and quickly placed the six casualties aboard, he lifted out of the dangerous area and proceeded  to the medical  facility at  DaNang.   Undeterred  by the deteriorating weather  conditions  which  severely  restricted  both  visibility  and  his  area  of maneuverability, First Lieutenant Harris  resolutely returned to the  beleaguered Marines  and boldly maneuvered his  CH-46 on several  different approaches  to the  landing zone until  he  was able to  locate the  ground unit and land nearby. With  complete  disregard  for  his  own  safety,  he  remained  in  his  precarious position until the five remaining casualties  were embarked before lifting  out  of the  perilous  area  through  the dense cloud  cover and  departing  for  DaNang. First Lieutenant Harris' 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."