Details behind Award: The citation reads as follows:
The 14TH COMBAT AVIATION BATTALION and its assigned and attached units distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations on 12 May 1968 in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam. Demonstrating exceptional bravery and professional competence, the officers and men of the battalion gallantly extracted beseiged friendly forces from the Kham Duc Special Forces Camp while under intense hostile fire. Severely threatened by an estimated two North Vietnamese Army/Viet Cong regiments, the camp had suffered heavy mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire and numerous large-scale ground assaults and was clearly untenable. Although enemy gunners were well secured on strategic high ground positions in command of the airfield, aerial extraction of the defenders was necessary and the members of the 14TH COMBAT AVIATION BATTALION rapidly responded to the emergency situation. While a devastating rain of hostile mortar and machine gun fire poured into the paths of on-coming helicopters, unit personnel expertly maneuvered their ships onto the runway and began evacuating the American forces. As airstrikes pound-ed enemy positions and gunships aggressively supported the lifters, the men of the command effectively completed a vital resupply of ammunition and continued to evacuate the hard-pressed troops. Despite severe damage to numerous aircraft, the determined aviators repeatedly entered the dangerous battlefield, ultimately evacuated the entire battalion and contributed immeasurably to the safety of seven hundred American lives. The extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty displayed by the members of the 14TH COMBAT AVIATION BATTALION are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect distinct credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.
FOR THE COMMANDER: GEORGE L. MABRY, JR. Major General, US Army Chief of Staff
General Orders Number 782, dated 30 March 1970, DA, Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam, APO San Francisco 96375
Last Updated: Jun 7, 2017
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
