The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Oliver E. O'Mara for his extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 5 October 1966. On that date, Captain O'Mara, flying an HH-3E rescue helicopter as Rescue Commander, voluntarily flew into a known area of intense hostile activity in an effort to rescue a downed American pilot. While under intense small arms and heavy automatic weapons fire, during which his rescue aircraft received numerous hits, he made repeated attempts to reach the downed airman. Only after his aircraft received extensive damage which rendered it incapable of rescue operations, did he withdraw from the area; however, he then directed another helicopter to the site for a successful pickup, Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the opposing force, Captain O'Mara reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.