Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 1 Line: 31

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

NEAL E. LANG, Warrant Officer WO1, Aviation 71st Aviation Company, 10th Combat Aviation Battalion, United States Army, is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Lang distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 February 1970 while serving as a Helicopter Pilot with the 71st Aviation Company. On that date, Warrant Officer Lang was flying a resupply operation in support of a friendly ground unit near Duong Duc Village. Arriving on station, Warrant Officer Lang descended on to the landing zone on two occasions to deliver vitally needed ammunition, despite heavy concentrations of hostile machine gun rounds directed at his ship. Later, when a third resupply of ammunition became necessary, Warrant Officer Lang proceeded to the site of contact with a maximum load. As he entered the area, Warrant Officer Lang inadvertently approached a decoy landing zone set up by the hostile force. When warned of the trap by a sister ship, Warrant Officer Lang skillfully aborted his landing and maneuvered to the friendly unit’s location through a heavy barrage of enemy .51 caliber machinegun fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Warrant Officer Lang landed his craft amidst intense volumes of hostile rounds and remained on the ground until the cargo was unloaded. Through his timely and courageous actions, Warrant Officer Lang greatly aided the success of the operation and enabled the friendly element to rout the enemy from the area. Warrant Officer Lang’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the American Division, and the United States Army.