Medal of Honor: Clyde Everett Lassen – Vietnam War – June 19, 1968

Name: Clyde Everett Lassen
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Helicopter Support Squadron 7, Detachment 104
Date of Action: June 19, 1968
Location: North Vietnam

Summary of Action

Shortly after midnight on 19 June 1968, Lieutenant Clyde Everett Lassen launched aboard a search and rescue helicopter on one of the most dangerous missions imaginable—the recovery of two American aviators shot down deep inside hostile territory in North Vietnam.

Guided to a steep, densely forested hillside, Lassen flew directly into an area defended by enemy forces that immediately opened fire on his aircraft.

His first landing near the base of the hill proved unsuccessful when thick jungle undergrowth prevented the survivors from reaching the helicopter.

Undeterred, Lassen maneuvered into an extraordinarily difficult hover between two trees directly over the survivors' position while rescue flares illuminated the jungle.

When the final flare burned out, darkness instantly engulfed the area.

The helicopter struck a tree and began a dangerous descent, but Lassen skillfully regained control and pulled clear before crashing.

Rather than abandon the mission, he remained overhead, reassuring the stranded aviators while waiting for additional flare support.

A second illuminated rescue attempt also failed.

By this point, his helicopter had sustained significant damage and fuel reserves had become critically low.

Despite these hazards and the continuing enemy fire, Lassen elected to try once more.

As the last flare illumination disappeared during his final approach, he knowingly exposed his aircraft to enemy gunners by switching on the helicopter's landing lights.

The gamble succeeded.

Guided by the lights, the two downed airmen reached the helicopter and climbed aboard.

With only minutes of fuel remaining, Lassen flew toward the coast while successfully evading additional enemy antiaircraft fire.

He finally landed safely aboard USS Jouett with approximately five minutes of fuel left in his tanks, having completed one of the most courageous and skillful combat search-and-rescue missions of the Vietnam War.

Lieutenant Clyde Everett Lassen's extraordinary determination, exceptional airmanship, and complete disregard for his own safety reflected the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

LASSEN, CLYDE EVERETT

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Helicopter Support Squadron 7, Detachment 104, embarked in USS Preble (DLG-15).

Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1968.

Entered service at: Jacksonville, Florida.

Born: 14 March 1942, Fort Myers, Florida.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (j.g.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position. Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard USS Jouett (DLG-29).