Donald L. Marx

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Donald L. Marx, Captain, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of an O-2 aircraft, in action near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, on 12 November 1968. On that date, Captain Marx was flying in an unarmed observation aircraft and was responsible for the safe evacuation of friendly forces under extremely heavy hostile fire. He repeatedly exposed himself to intense antiaircraft fire while locating hostile gun positions directed at the beleaguered force. He voluntarily made repeated passes into the hostile environment to divert fire from the friendly forces and other support aircraft, thereby saving the lives of many friendly soldiers. By his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Captain Marx reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.