18th Aviation Company Otter Nest

Individual Awards

18^th Aviation Company Personnel

Vietnam

1962 - 1971

(As the information becomes available)

 

 

  

Silver Star

Criteria: 

The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. Soldiers who received a citation for gallantry in action during World War I may apply to have the citation converted to the Silver Star Medal.

1968

Captain Kenneth Waldrop

"Captain Waldrop was awarded the Silver Star for the safeguarding of the survivors. His quick and accurate firing saved eleven (11) lives."

 

 

 

Distinguished Flying Cross

Criteria: 

The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances. Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement and will not be made in recognition of sustained operational activities against an armed enemy.

CW2 George G. Warren 1966

CW2 John L. Wilcox 1966

CPT Douglas L. Keithly 1967

CWO Ira M. Stein 1967

CWO Ellie M. Mims 1967

SP5 Clair O. Fleegle 1967

SP4 James O. Bielski 1967

CPT George Coutoumanos 1967

CPT James Keaveny 1970

CW2 Donald Darr 1970

CW3 Peter H. Crawford  1970

 CPT Norman L. Wootan, Jr. 1970

CW2 Norman R. Toler 1970 Pending

CPT John H. Fish, Jr. 1970 Pending

CPT Rhoderic K. Patrick 1970 Pending

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                         Soldiers Medal                   

                                                                                                                                  

S/Sgt "Ski" - 6 Aug 1965

On the 6th of of the month aUSAF. B-457 jet bomber shot up during a strafing run careened into the westner edge of Doc Lap (Nha Trang's) main street instantly kiling 17 Vietnamese and injuring many more. S/Sgt Henry M Kwiatkowski, at great risk evacuated 52 school children from the area of the crash site. 

Critera:

The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a friendly foreign nation who while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished him/herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.

 

 

 

Bronze Star w/"V"

 

Criteria: 

a. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. 

b. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star. 

c. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.

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Bronze Star

4 - 1965

 

 

 

 

Purple Heart

CPT James Merchant 1964

 LT John K. Bachmann 1964

CWO Carl Vanderpool 1964

WO Hall 1964

CWO Hardwick 1965

Critera                                                                             

a. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force who, while serving with the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded;

(1)  In any action against an enemy of the United States;

(2)  In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged;

(3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party;

(4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces;

(5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force;

(6) After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the department concerned, or jointly by the Secretaries of the departments concerned if persons from more than one department are wounded in the attack; or,

(7) After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations, while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.

(8) After 7 December 1941, by weapon fire while directly engaged in armed conflict, regardless of the fire causing the wound.

(9) While held as a prisoner of war or while being taken captive.

b.   A wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer

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Air Medal w/"V"

SP/4 Thomas R Marchand 1966
Major Jack D. Kincaid 1966

Criteria:

The Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the armed forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or for meritorious service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to certain other individuals whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status.  These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award. Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone.

 

 

 

Air Force Commendation Medal

Criteria:

The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not of a sufficient nature to justify a higher award.

 

Army Commendation Medal w/"V"

Criteria:

a. The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States other than General Officers who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. Award may be made to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who, after 1 June 1962, distinguishes himself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States.

b. Awards may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances described above which are of lesser degree than required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. These acts may involve aerial flight. An award may be made for acts of noncombatant-related heroism which do not meet the requirements for an award of the Soldiers Medal.

 

 

 

 

Certificate of Achievement

1-1965 

 

Vietnamese Civil Actions Honor Medal, 1^st Class

 

 

 

Vietnamese Armed Forces Medal of Honor, 1^st Class

 

Many Individuals serving in Vietnam & the Southeast Asia theater were authorized these basic medals upon completion of their assignment (AR 600-8-22).            

                          

NDSM         VSM        RCVM w/60 Device

Note 1 - Authority is AR 600-8-22  dated 25 February 1995.  Individuals qualified for the Vietnam Service Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal  for reasons of service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965 (inclusive) shall remain qualified for that medal. Upon request (unit personnel officer) any such individual may be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal instead of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  In such instances the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal will be deleted from the list of authorize medals in personnel records.  No one is entitled to both awards. 

        or         

                                                           AFEM                  VSM                                                            

End of Awards Section

 

(It has been noted that individuals recommended for specific awards were often downgraded to a lesser award, and in some cases not awarded at all. This happens more frequently than we like to admit.)

 256th Transportation Detachment

RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm - 1 Mar 66 - 26 Mar 67, DAGO 22, 68; 27 Mar 67 - 17 May 68, DAGO 46, 69, amended DAGO 21, 69

DA General Orders by Date -

http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/DA_General_Orders_1.html