Retired Lt. Col. Charles Kettles, a Medal of Honor recipient and UH-1D pilot during the Vietnam War, has passed away.
United States Department of Defense [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Kettles earned the award for his actions during the battle of Song Tra Cau riverbed on May 15, 1967.
Without support and under heavy fire, he flew his helicopter into harm’s way in order to extract eight soldiers that were left behind. A mortar round damaged the tail boom, a main rotor blade, shattered both front windshields and the chin bubble upon landing. Despite the heavy damage inflicted on his UH-1D, Kettles was able to rescue the eight soldiers and flew his damaged helicopter to safety.