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 evening of  1 June 1970,  First Lieutenant Stocker  launched as  Copilot aboard a  CH-46 transport helicopter  assigned the medical evacuation of several Marine casualties who had been extensively wounded by  enemy mines.  Arriving over the  designated  loca- tion, he  observed that, when the tall elephant grass was parted by the downdraft from the rotor blades, the  entire field was literally seeded with mines.  Unwilling to risk additional casualties by  allowing any member of  the crew to walk  about the  area, the  pilot conceived  an imaginative plan  whereby one of  his men was lowered on the mechanical  hoist to where each  casualty lay, waited on the  spot while  the wounded man was lifted  into the aircraft and  then was picked up and moved to  the next stricken man.  For  approximately an  hour,  First Lieutenant Stocker played  a large part  in  this successful  operation.  Fully  aware that  the slightest  miscalculation on his  part could drag either the crewman or a casualty in the grass and thus detonate  other mines, resulting  in additional injuries  and possible damage to his helicopter which would cause it to crash in  the minefield, he  carefully monitored  his instruments  and equipment and  provided  the pilot with  precise flight  information which enabled  that officer  to move  at an  even level over the  area and hover over each casualty with complete steadiness.  With the fall of darkness,  it was necessary to  utilize the exterior lights both to aid the crewman in his examination of the casualties and to maintain  terrain  reference. By so doing, he  thus  became a  vulnerable  target for  automatic  weapons  and rocket-propelled grenade fire which enemy soldiers delivered at his aircraft from several different directions.  Undaunted by this adversity and the low state of his fuel supply,  he steadfastly continued  his determined efforts with calm  delibera- tion until all casualties had been embarked and the transport was directed to the nearest medical facilities at DaNang.  First Lieutenant Stocker's  courage, superb airmanship,  and  unwavering devotion to duty in  face of grave personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous lifesaving mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."