The President of the United States of America, authorized by Section 8742, Title 10, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Captain Dale E. Stovall for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an Aircraft Commander of an HH-53C rescue helicopter in Southeast Asia from 1 June 1972 to 2 June 1972.  During this period Captain Stovall, voluntarily and at great risk to his own life, repeatedly penetrated an extremely hostile and heavily defended area to effect the rescue of a downed American airman.  Captain Stovall’s first attempt to rescue the airman was thwarted by numerous hostile aircraft and missiles being directed at the rescue force.   Determined to save this airman, he willingly returned to this high threat area, braving intense ground fire, to recover the downed airman from deep in North Vietnam.  Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Captain Stovall reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.