Airman First Class Henry J. O’Beirne distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pararescueman on an unarmed HU-16 aircraft on a rescue mission in Southeast Asia on 9 April 1965. On that date, Airman First Class O’Beirne and crew recovered a downed pilot from the South China Sea although hampered by extremely unfavorable wind and sea conditions which necessitated a raft approach to the downed airman, and a takeoff directly into heavy fire from the shore batteries. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Airman First Class O’Beirne reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.