The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Joe B. Green for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed force as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander near the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 30 March 1968. On that date, Major Green led a force of four rescue helicopters over hostile territory in low overcast weather to reach the survivors from four downed United States helicopters. Intelligence briefings had disclosed that it was impossible to neutralize the hostile gun emplacements at the rescue site. Despite the knowledge that two additional helicopters were shot down while he was approaching the area Major Green elected to make the initial rescue attempt. He persisted in the rescue attempt after hostile fire forced him away from the site. He made two additional approaches, courageously maintaining the aircraft in a stationary hover until the four most severely wounded survivors were rescued. Only then did fuel shortage, aircraft malfunctions, and the critical nature of the survivors' wounds compel him to leave the area. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Green reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.