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  the  morning  of 17 November 1969, Sergeant McReynolds launched as an Aerial Gunner aboard the lead  aircraft  in a flight of two CH-46 transport  helicopters  assigned  the emer- gency medical evacuation of casualties from a Second Republic of Korea Marine Brigade unit which was operating eighteen miles southwest of DaNang.  Arriving over  the designated  area, he  was  informed  that  the  friendly  unit  was  under intense enemy rocket, mortar, and  automatic weapons fire and that  the number of wounded  Koreans had  risen to seven with four requiring  immediate  extrac- tion.  While his flight coordinated its approach with the fire supporting gunships and the screening smoke laid down by an OV-10 aircraft, Sergeant McReynolds, undaunted  by the  heavy  volume of hostile  fire directed  at his helicopter, reso- lutely  manned his weapon and  alertly scanned  the terrain to locate the  sources of enemy  fire while  his  CH-46  was maneuvered  to a landing  in the  fire-swept area.  As the helicopter touched down, it came under an extremely heavy volume of  concentrated  hostile fire and  Sergeant McReynolds was seriously  wounded. Despite the  excruciating pain of  his  multiple wounds,  he twice  pulled  himself into position behind  his machine gun only to be placed back on the floor by the other  aerial gunner.  After  his third attempt  to regain his  position  behind  his weapon in order to return fire and afford his CH-46 some measure of relief from the  intense enemy fire,  Sergeant McReynolds  fell to the floor unconscious.  He was   subsequently  transported  to   the  medical  facility  at  Marble  Mountain. Sergeant McReynolds'  courage,  resolute determination,  and unwavering devo- tion to duty in  the face of great personal danger  inspired all who observed  him and  were in  keeping with  the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.