Staff Sergeant Allen J. Avery distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Specialist on an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 5 October 1968.  On that date, Sergeant Avery volunteered to attempt the extremely hazardous extraction of a Special Forces team after their insertion helicopter had been shot down and the team surrounded by hostile forces.  Enroute to the distress site he learned that a rescue helicopter had been shot down while attempting the extraction, fatally injuring two crew members.  Despite low cloud cover, which prevented the use of fighter escort, Sergeant Avery, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, penetrated the hostile area and directed his helicopter to a hover adjacent the burning crash site.  During the prolonged hover, Sergeant Avery provided accurate suppressive machine gun fire and assisted in the rescue of the two crash survivors and the six surviving team members.  By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Avery has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.