Staff Sergeant John F. Tobey distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Specialist in the Demilitarized Zone of North Vietnam on 16 May 1967.  On that date, Sergeant Tobey entered an intensely hostile area and braved automatic weapons fire in attempting to rescue two downed American pilots.  Although forced to withdraw after hostile fire disabled one of the aircraft’s engines, Sergeant Tobey’s efforts paved the way for a later successful rescue operation by another helicopter.  The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Tobey reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.