Medal of Honor: Hugh "Rev" Nelson, Jr. – Vietnam War – June 5, 1966

Name: Hugh Reavis Nelson, Jr.

Nickname: "Rev" Nelson

Rank: Captain

Branch: United States Army

War: Vietnam War

Unit: 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light), 13th Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade

Date of Action: June 5, 1966

Location: Near Moc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

The Vietnam War transformed the helicopter into one of the most important weapons on the battlefield. Huey crews routinely flew into some of the most dangerous environments imaginable—providing reconnaissance, close air support, medical evacuation, and troop transport, often while flying low and slow directly into enemy fire.

The men of the 114th Aviation Company, known as the "Knights of the Air," became legendary for answering calls for support wherever American and South Vietnamese forces were engaged.

On June 5, 1966, Captain Hugh "Rev" Nelson was serving as acting aircraft commander aboard an armed UH-1 Huey conducting a search-and-destroy reconnaissance mission near Moc Hoa.

Suddenly, the helicopter came under an intense barrage of enemy automatic weapons and small-arms fire.

The enemy fire caused catastrophic damage to the aircraft, destroying its lateral flight controls and rendering it virtually uncontrollable. Fighting desperately for control, Captain Nelson and the pilot managed to guide the crippled Huey into a crash landing rather than allowing it to plunge uncontrolled into the ground.

The crash left the crew wounded and stranded deep within enemy territory.

After escaping the wreckage, Captain Nelson immediately began searching for his fellow crew members. Disregarding his own injuries and the obvious danger, he found his wounded and dazed crew chief still trapped inside the damaged helicopter.

He pulled the specialist free and carried him away from the wreckage.

Then, realizing that the door gunner remained trapped inside the shattered aircraft, Captain Nelson climbed back into the Huey.

At that moment, enemy forces advanced to within approximately thirty feet of the helicopter and unleashed a devastating volume of automatic weapons fire.

Captain Nelson ignored the deadly hail of bullets and continued working to free the trapped door gunner.

Even after being struck by enemy fire, he succeeded in removing his wounded comrade from the wreckage.

As enemy rounds tore through the crash site, Captain Nelson forced the wounded specialist to the ground and made one final decision.

Knowing there was no cover available and fully understanding the consequences of his actions, he threw his own body over his wounded comrade, shielding him from the enemy fire.

Bullet after bullet struck Captain Nelson as he absorbed the deadly fire that would otherwise have killed the wounded soldier beneath him.

His sacrifice gave his surviving crewman the precious moments needed to deploy a smoke grenade, signaling supporting aircraft that survivors remained at the crash site.

Responding immediately, friendly aircraft arrived overhead and drove back the advancing enemy force, ultimately rescuing the three surviving members of the crew.

Captain Hugh "Rev" Nelson knowingly gave his life so that others could live.

His actions did not merely save one man. His courage ensured that all three wounded crew members survived to return home.

Medal of Honor Citation

HUGH REAVIS NELSON, JR.

Rank and organization: Captain, United States Army.

Unit: 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light), 13th Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade.

Place and date: Near Moc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, June 5, 1966.

Citation:

Captain Hugh R. Nelson, Jr., distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of the 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light) on June 5, 1966 near Moc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam.

Captain Nelson was the acting Aircraft Commander of an armed Huey helicopter on a search and destroy reconnaissance mission when it was struck by a large volume of enemy fire that rendered the aircraft virtually uncontrollable. With great difficulty, Captain Nelson and the pilot were able to crash land the aircraft without lateral controls.

At some point after the crash, Captain Nelson exited the aircraft and went to the aid of his wounded comrades. Proceeding to the other side of the aircraft, he found his dazed and wounded crew chief still trapped inside. After removing the specialist and placing him on the ground, Captain Nelson climbed into the severely damaged helicopter to assist the door gunner who was still strapped inside and unable to move.

While Captain Nelson tried to free his comrade, the insurgents engaged the aircraft with a heavy volume of automatic rifle and small arms fire at a range of approximately thirty feet from the aircraft. Despite the heavy enemy fire, Captain Nelson continued his gallant efforts, freeing the trapped door gunner despite being hit by enemy fire.

Upon removing the wounded door gunner from the aircraft, he forced the specialist to the ground, and without regard for his own life used his own body as a shield to cover his comrade from the intense enemy fire.

While shielding his comrade, Captain Nelson was hit several times by enemy fire, sacrificing his own life to save the life of his comrade. His selfless sacrifice allowed his wounded comrade to use a smoke grenade to signal supporting aircraft in the area that there were crash survivors.

The supporting aircraft responded immediately, preventing the insurgents from advancing on the downed aircraft and successfully rescuing the three wounded crew members.

Captain Nelson's conscious decision to sacrifice his own life for that of his comrades saved the lives of his three fellow crew members that fateful day. Captain Nelson's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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