Medal of Honor: Raymond M. Clausen – Vietnam War – Minefield Rescue – 31 January 1970
A helicopter door opened into a minefield—and a young Marine stepped out again and again, knowing any step could be his last. He did not stop until every Marine was coming home.
February 3, 2026
Name: Raymond M. Clausen
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: United States Marine Corps
Unit: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Place: Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: New Orleans, Louisiana
Born: 14 October 1947, New Orleans, Louisiana
Summary of Action
On 31 January 1970, Private First Class Raymond M. Clausen was serving as a helicopter crewman with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 during combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam when his aircraft was tasked with a rescue mission under extreme danger. A Marine platoon, assaulting enemy positions, had inadvertently entered a minefield. Multiple detonations had already occurred, leaving 11 Marines wounded, 1 killed, and the remaining 8 pinned in place—unable to move without risking further explosions.
Under enemy fire, Pfc. Clausen skillfully guided the pilot to land in a small area cleared only by prior mine detonations. Immediately leaping from the helicopter, he moved across the mine-laden terrain to assist in evacuating the wounded. With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly left the relative protection of the helicopter to carry injured Marines across the deadly ground and load them aboard.
Six separate times, Pfc. Clausen crossed the minefield. During one evacuation, while carrying a wounded Marine, another mine detonated nearby, killing a corpsman and wounding three others. Undeterred by the explosion, enemy fire, or the constant threat of triggering another mine, he continued his rescue efforts.
Only after personally ensuring that every surviving Marine was safely aboard did Pfc. Clausen signal the pilot to lift off. His calm determination, courage under fire, and absolute devotion to his fellow Marines transformed a catastrophic situation into a successful rescue.
Medal of Honor Citation
With 11 Marines wounded, one dead, and the remaining eight Marines holding their positions for fear of detonating other mines, Pfc. Clausen quickly leaped from the helicopter and, in the face of enemy fire, moved across the extremely hazardous mine-laden area to assist in carrying casualties to the waiting helicopter and in placing them aboard. Despite the ever-present threat of further mine explosions, he continued his valiant efforts, leaving the comparatively safe area of the helicopter on six separate occasions to carry out his rescue efforts.
On one occasion while he was carrying one of the wounded, another mine detonated, killing a corpsman and wounding three other men. Only when he was certain that all Marines were safely aboard did he signal the pilot to lift the helicopter. By his courageous, determined, and inspiring efforts in the face of the utmost danger, Pfc. Clausen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service.
