On Aug 19, 1967, while on an escort mission, Maj. Stephen Pless (MAG-36, 1MAW) received a distress call from 4 Americans who were trapped and surrounded on a beach near Quang Nai, Vietnam.
Maj. Pless flew his UH-1 Huey Gunship to the scene and found 30 to 50 enemy soldiers in the open. Some of the enemy were bayoneting and beating the downed Americans. Maj. Pless displayed exceptional airmanship as he launched a devastating attack against the enemy force, killing and wounding many of the enemy and driving the remainder back into a treeline.
His rocket and machinegun attacks were made at such low levels that the aircraft flew through debris created by explosions from its rockets. Seeing 1 of the wounded soldiers gesture for assistance, he maneuvered his helicopter into a position between the wounded men and the enemy, providing a shield which permitted his crew to retrieve the wounded.
During the rescue the enemy directed intense fire at the helicopter and rushed the aircraft again and again, closing to within a few feet before being beaten back. When the wounded men were aboard, Maj. Pless maneuvered the helicopter out to sea. Before it became safely airborne, the overloaded aircraft settled 4 times into the water. Displaying superb airmanship, he finally got the helicopter aloft. Major Pless' extraordinary heroism coupled with his outstanding flying skill prevented the annihilation of the tiny force.
For his actions, he would receive the Medal of Honor while his crew would receive the Navy Cross; making Pless the only Marine Aviator to receive the Medal during the war and the combined crew, the most highly decorated Helicopter crew to fly in the Vietnam War.
During his ceremony, another pilot, Joe Jackson, received the Medal as well for rescuing Americans under fire. Upon realizing that both Pless and Jackson were from the same small Georgia town, President Johnson quipped: "There must be something in the water down in Newnan”.
Major Pless would tragically die in a motorcycle accident just 6 months after receiving the MOH.
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