Technical Sergeant Carlos J. McKinney II distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 26 February 1971. On that date, as the Flight Engineer on an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter, Sergeant Mckinney’s efforts culminated in the rescue of two United States Air Force aircrewmen from certain death or capture by hostile forces. With full knowledge of the extent of hostile fire in the area and complete disregard for his own personal safety, and despite the helicopter’s receiving numerous hits by ground fire, Sergeant McKinney twice exposed himself unarmed in the open doorway of the helicopter to direct the pilot’s hover and operate the hoist in the rescue of the two men. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Mckinney has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.