Sergeant Earnest D. Casbeer 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 Casbeer penetrated a heavily defended area southwest of the A Shau Valley to attempt the extraction of a Special Forces Team which was surrounded and in imminent danger of being overrun. Despite the intense, accurately directed hostile fire, Sergeant Casbeer persisted in the rescue attempt until his aircraft was downed by the withering" fire. Sergeant Casbeer successfully evaded the hostile forces and assisted in the rescue of his aircraft's commander. Once aboard a rescue helicopter Sergeant Casbeer provided continuous suppressive machine gun fire during the recovery of the beleaguered team members. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Casbeer has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.