- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Vietnam helicopter pilot to receive Medal of Honor
Posted on 6/22/16 at 1:09 am
Posted on 6/22/16 at 1:09 am
LINK
quote:
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 20, 2016) -- President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to a daring helicopter pilot who displayed extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War, the White House announced today.
Retired Lt. Col. Charles Kettles is credited with saving some 44 lives in one day, May 15, 1967, while serving as a helicopter commander in the 176th Aviation Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division in the vicinity of Duc Pho, in Vietnam's central highlands.
Early that morning, his platoon had dropped about 80 Soldiers in a river valley, but the troops were ambushed and surrounded very quickly. Kettles and his fellow pilots made several trips back and forth, bringing reinforcements and evacuating the wounded, but by afternoon, it was clear that the situation was hopeless. Only 44 troops remained, facing what Kettles estimates was a battalion-sized force.
Although the company's helicopters were so shot up that they had to call in reinforcements from another unit for the extraction, they managed to get the Soldiers aboard and take off under heavy fire.
Then, when they were airborne, Kettles learned eight men had been left behind on the ground.
With one of the rescued Soldiers on board in addition to his crew of four, Kettles immediately turned his unarmed Huey around and headed back to the landing zone. He had surprise on his side, but fire from the ground -- mostly small arms and mortars -- was withering and ripped the windshield apart.
The eight Soldiers dove into the helicopter, but there was another problem: it was now about three men or 600 pounds too heavy.
"I didn't know if we were going to get out of there," Kettles remembered, but I was just going to give it my best try."
After his copilot couldn't manage the takeoff, Kettles took over, repeatedly adjusting the revolutions per minute until they finally lurched back to Duc Pho.
That's the bottom line, said Kettles: those Soldiers went home to their families. Their names aren't carved in stone on a wall in D.C. No medal can compare with that.
"The rest of it is rather immaterial, frankly," he said, quick to give credit to the other 73 pilots and crewmembers who flew missions that day.
The Medal of Honor is an upgrade for Kettles, who will be honored in a White House ceremony scheduled for July 14. He initially received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest award for valor, for his actions.
He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism the day before, May 14, 1967 and earned 27 air medals while flying more than 600 missions during two tours in Vietnam.
Posted on 6/22/16 at 1:21 am to Jim Rockford
seems late for the honor, but it sure sounds well deserved.
Posted on 6/22/16 at 1:24 am to Jim Rockford
The most underrespected veterans in the history of America. It's a shame.
Posted on 6/22/16 at 4:19 am to speechles
Thought sure it would have been Murdock
Posted on 6/22/16 at 4:23 am to Jim Rockford
He deserves it. Thanks Rockfish for posting it. We need every hero story we can get these days.
Posted on 6/22/16 at 4:41 am to Jim Rockford
quote:
Retired Lt. Col. Charles Kettles
Posted on 6/22/16 at 7:28 am to Jim Rockford
When I was in High School, my offensive coordinator was a Vietnam vet who flew helicopters during the war. Those guys were pretty damn fearless...
Posted on 6/22/16 at 7:34 am to madmaxvol
They weren't fearless. They were brave. There is a difference.
Posted on 6/22/16 at 7:38 am to Jim Rockford
If you get a chance read the book "Chickenhawk". A great read on a real life helecoptor pilot in Vietnam.
Posted on 6/22/16 at 7:48 am to Jim Rockford
Straight up hero right there. Can you imagine the thoughts of those 8 left behind to see that huey returning?
Posted on 6/22/16 at 7:53 am to Jim Rockford
That's great.
I have a confession: I figured he was a black guy since it was an announcement from the President.
I have a confession: I figured he was a black guy since it was an announcement from the President.
Posted on 6/22/16 at 8:22 am to Jim Rockford
Not surprised.
I flew w/ a few of those guys when I worked offshore.
I never was nervous a single minute with them at the controls.
If it was just me and the pilot, they'd do some cool stuff.
I flew w/ a few of those guys when I worked offshore.
I never was nervous a single minute with them at the controls.
If it was just me and the pilot, they'd do some cool stuff.
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News