Sergeant John W. Stephens distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Pararescue Specialist of an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter near Tchepone, Laos, on 20 August 1972. On that date, Sergeant Stephens voluntarily flew into hostile territory to accomplish the recovery of a downed American pilot. Standing at his unprotected crew position, Sergeant Stephens fired his minigun to suppress groundfire being directed at his hovering helicopter. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Stephens reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.