Captain Warren R. Lilly distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 6 November 1965. On that date, Captain Lilly displayed an outstanding degree of courage and devotion to duty as he voluntarily flew an unarmed and extremely vulnerable rescue aircraft into a hostile area known to contain numerous concentrations of heavy antiaircraft weapons in a valiant attempt to rescue a downed USAF pilot. As he entered the recovery area, Captain Lilly's aircraft encountered heavy ground fire and burst into flames, causing him and his crew members to bail out over hostile territory. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Lilly has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.