UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS---------------- HEADQUARTERS, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC--------------------- ---------------------FPO, SAN FRANCISCO 96610

                        In  the  name   of  the  President  of   the   United   States,   the 
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific 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  as  a  Pilot  with  Marine  Medium  Helicopter  Squadron  364,   Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against insurgent  communist  (Viet Cong)  forces  in  the  Republic of Vietnam.  On  10 September 1966  while serving  as  Helicopter Aircraft Commander of  the  night medical  evacuation helicopter, First  Lieutenant ZENDA launched to an outpost southwest  of Chu Lai  to evacuate seven  critically wounded  Marines.  Arriving over the area, he directed  his copilot to assume the controls as they commenced an approach to  the small zone in the face of intense enemy  fire and guided only by a strobe light.  Although  the helicopter's main rotor blade was  slightly dam- aged  by contact  with  the surrounding  trees during  the approach,  the  aircraft landed  safely  and  First Lieutenant  ZENDA  embarked  the critically  wounded Marines  while subjected to constant enemy fire.  Displaying exceptional  daring, he  then extinguished all  lights on the aircraft, skillfully  maneuvered out of  the small  zone and departed the area  in total darkness.  Later that night, he  trans- ported  two  Marines  with  serious  head  wounds  to  the  medical  facility at Da Nang.  Because of  the critical condition of the wounded men, who were bleeding excessively, he  flew  his  aircraft at  reduced  speed  and low  altitude  along  the beach  with all windows closed.  Although  his helicopter came under  enemy fire four  times  en  route,  First  Lieutenant  ZENDA  remained  calm  demonstrated superior  airmanship,  evading  the  fire  and preventing  damage to his  aircraft. When  his  helicopter's engine failed as  it landed on  its return to Ky Ha, he  un- hesitatingly launched in another aircraft and proceeded to Landing Zone Marlin on  Hill  54  to  evacuate  casualties resulting from  a Viet  Cong  mortar  attack, which  was  still in progress when  he arrived.  Disregarding  intense  enemy  fire, First  Lieutenant ZENDA courageously commenced  his approach and  landed in the zone without utilizing his lights. Although the helicopter was damaged by an exploding  mortar shell while waiting  in the zone, the casualties  were embarked and he fearlessly maneuvered out of the zone under enemy fire and proceeded to a  medical facility.  After extinguishing  an electrical fire in the damaged aircraft, First Lieutenant ZENDA daringly  made  three more  landings  in  the hazardous zone, evacuating all the casualties to safety. Throughout the night, he completed five  dangerous  missions,  flying  almost  half  the  time  under  instrument con- ditions.  His courage and steadfast determination  in accomplishing the missions were  instrumental  in  saving  the  lives of  numerous  Marines.  First Lieutenant ZENDA's  exceptional  aeronautical skill, bold  initiative and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping  with  the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."