Medal of Honor, Stephen W. Pless, Vietnam War, August 19, 1967
“When a group of downed American aviators was about to be executed on a hostile beach in Vietnam, Major Stephen W. Pless chose to act. Against impossible odds, he piloted his UH-1E Huey into a wall of enemy fire, landed under the guns of the enemy."
August 21, 2025
Name: Stephen W. Pless
War: Vietnam War
Date: August 19, 1967
Summary of Action
On August 19, 1967, Major Stephen W. Pless was serving as a Marine helicopter pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263. Responding to reports of downed U.S. aviators trapped on a hostile beach near Quang Ngai Province, his flight of UH-1E gunships rushed to the scene. From the air, Pless saw enemy forces overwhelming the survivors, who were being dragged and beaten.
With complete disregard for his own safety, Pless brought his helicopter down through a hail of enemy fire and landed directly in front of the enemy position. Though surrounded and outnumbered, he and his crew leapt from the aircraft and fought their way to the wounded. They loaded the injured men into the helicopter, all while under relentless small-arms and automatic weapons fire. With his ship overloaded and barely able to take off, Pless skillfully lifted from the beach, pulling his crippled Huey into the sky and saving the lives of the downed Americans.
His bold action, taken in full knowledge of the near-certainty of death, stands as one of the most courageous helicopter rescues of the Vietnam War.
Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, in action against enemy forces near Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 19 August 1967. During an escort mission Major Pless and his crew were diverted to aid four American servicemen stranded on a beach and about to be overrun by enemy forces. Without hesitation, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft through a hail of enemy fire and landed directly between the enemy and the stranded men. Leaving his helicopter unprotected, he and his crew rushed forward and, despite the ferocity of the attack, succeeded in rescuing the men and returning them to the aircraft. Though dangerously overloaded, Major Pless courageously flew his helicopter from the beach and returned to friendly territory. His daring and selfless action in saving the lives of his fellow servicemen reflect the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
