Maj. Charles Kettles poses in front of a 121st Aviation Company, UH-1H helicopter, during his second tour of duty in Vietnam in 1969.
Photo provided by Department of Defense
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to a helicopter pilot who displayed extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War, according to the Department of Defense.
The ceremony will take place July 18 at the White House. According to officials, retired Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles is credited with saving 44 lives on May 15, 1967 near Duc Pho in Vietnam. Kettles was serving as a helicopter commander.
Kettles’ platoon dropped about 80 soldiers in a river valley, but the troops were ambushed, according to the Department of Defense. Kettles and his fellow pilots made several trips bringing reinforcements and evacuating the wounded. The company’s helicopters were shot at in the ambush, but the pilots were able to rescue 44 people.
There were still eight men left behind, and Kettles returned to the site with his unarmed helicopter to rescue the additional eight, according to the DoD. The helicopter was under fire from the ground. Kettles was able to get the helicopter airborne and back to safety despite being 600 pounds too heavy, stated officials.
Kettles lives in Michigan with his wife.
