Medal of Honor: Charles S. Kettles – Vietnam War – May 15, 1967

Name: Charles S. Kettles
Rank: Major
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: 176th Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Task Force Oregon
Date of Action: May 15, 1967
Location: Near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 15 May 1967, Major Charles S. Kettles displayed extraordinary heroism during one of the most dangerous helicopter rescue operations of the Vietnam War.

An airborne infantry unit had become heavily engaged with enemy forces near Duc Pho and was suffering severe casualties under intense fire.

Without hesitation, Kettles volunteered to lead a flight of six UH-1D Huey helicopters into the embattled landing zone to deliver reinforcements and evacuate wounded soldiers.

As the helicopters descended, enemy mortar rounds, machine-gun fire, and small-arms fire ripped through the landing zone.

Several aircraft were heavily damaged.

Despite the chaos, Kettles refused to leave until every helicopter was loaded with wounded men and departing troops.

Knowing full well what awaited him, he returned again.

On the second mission, his aircraft was struck repeatedly by enemy fire.

His gunner was seriously wounded, and the helicopter itself suffered severe damage.

As he departed the battlefield, another crew warned him that fuel was streaming from the aircraft.

Even so, Kettles skillfully kept the crippled helicopter in the air and brought it safely back to base.

But the mission was not over.

Later that day, an urgent request came from the trapped infantry battalion commander.

Forty men still remained stranded near the battlefield, including four members of Kettles’ own aviation unit whose helicopter had been destroyed.

Only one flyable UH-1 remained available.

Kettles volunteered to go back a third time.

Leading another rescue flight into the deadly landing zone, he helped evacuate troops under relentless enemy fire.

As the helicopters lifted off, Kettles was informed that everyone had been extracted.

But once airborne, word came that eight soldiers had been left behind, unable to reach the helicopters because of the intense enemy fire.

At that moment, gunship support and covering aircraft had already departed.

Without hesitation, Kettles turned his helicopter around and flew back alone.

Enemy fire immediately concentrated on the lone Huey.

A mortar blast shattered both front windshields and the helicopter’s chin bubble while machine-gun fire tore through the aircraft.

Despite the damage, Kettles maintained control and held the helicopter in position long enough for the stranded soldiers to climb aboard.

He then flew the shattered aircraft safely away from the battlefield, saving the lives of the remaining troops and his own crew.

His repeated returns into almost certain death became one of the most extraordinary helicopter rescue actions of the Vietnam War.

Medal of Honor Citation

KETTLES, CHARLES S.

On 15 May 1967, Major Kettles, upon learning that an airborne infantry unit had suffered casualties during an intense firefight with the enemy, immediately volunteered to lead a flight of six UH-1D helicopters to carry reinforcements to the embattled force and to evacuate wounded personnel. Enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire raked the landing zone, inflicting heavy damage to the helicopters; however, Major Kettles refused to depart until all helicopters were loaded to capacity. He then returned to the battlefield, with full knowledge of the intense enemy fire awaiting his arrival, to bring more reinforcements, landing in the midst of enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire that seriously wounded his gunner and severely damaged his aircraft. Upon departing, Major Kettles was advised by another helicopter crew that he had fuel streaming out of his aircraft. Despite the risk posed by the leaking fuel, he nursed the damaged aircraft back to base. Later that day, the Infantry Battalion Commander requested immediate, emergency extraction of the remaining 40 troops, including four members of Major Kettles’ unit who were stranded when their helicopter was destroyed by enemy fire. With only one flyable UH-1 helicopter remaining, Major Kettles volunteered to return to the deadly landing zone for a third time, leading a flight of six evacuation helicopters, five of which were from the 161st Aviation Company. During the extraction, Major Kettles was informed by the last helicopter that all personnel were onboard, and departed the landing zone accordingly. Army gunships supporting the evacuation also departed the area. Once airborne, Major Kettles was advised that eight troops had been unable to reach the evacuation helicopters due to the intense enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Kettles passed the lead to another helicopter and returned to the landing zone to rescue the remaining troops. Without gunship, artillery, or tactical aircraft support, the enemy concentrated all firepower on his lone aircraft, which was immediately damaged by a mortar round that shattered both front windshields and the chin bubble and was further raked by small arms and machine gun fire. Despite the intense enemy fire, Major Kettles maintained control of the aircraft and situation, allowing time for the remaining eight soldiers to board the aircraft. In spite of the severe damage to his helicopter, Major Kettles once more skillfully guided his heavily damaged aircraft to safety. Without his courageous actions and superior flying skills, the last group of soldiers and his crew would never have made it off the battlefield. Major Kettles’ selfless acts of repeated valor and determination are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.