Staff Sergeant Gilbert E. Vaillancourt distinguished himself by heroism at Mount McKinley, Alaska on 28 July 1979. On that date, Sergeant Vaillancourt was lowered 80 feet from a CH-47 Army helicopter and recovered an unconscious Japanese climber from a ledge at the 16,200 foot level of the mountain. This heroic recovery saved the climber's life and was cited as the highest "hovering hoist recovery" ever. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Vaillancourt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.