Sergeant Alan N. Thompson distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pararescue/Recovery Specialist on board a rescue helicopter on 17 January 1968. On that date, his aircraft attempted to recover a downed aircrew from North Vietnam. Sergeant Thompson supervised the readying of all rescue equipment as the aircraft approached the incident site. Once over the survivors, it was necessary for Sergeant Thompson to descend via hoist to effect the rescue. He was continually exposed to enemy ground fire. After the rescue, while the helicopter was egressing the area, multiple aircraft emergencies confronted the crew. Sergeant Thompson’s superb airmanship and cool headedness greatly assisted the pilot in returning the aircraft to home base. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Thompson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.