The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Joe B. Green (AFSN: 0-3038821), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E helicopter in Southeast Asia on 2 July 1968. On that date, Major Green penetrated a heavily defended area of North Vietnam to provide cover for the rescue of an injured, downed pilot. Despite accurately directed anti-aircraft fire and flight control malfunctions, he remained over the distress site until the rescue helicopter was driven off. Major Green directed the crippled aircraft out of the hostile area just as another aircraft was shot down. He proceeded directly to the crash site, prepared for an immediate rescue attempt, although he was without escort over active anti-aircraft positions. However, there were no survivors of the crash. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Green reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
February 27, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Joe B. Green (AFSN: 0-3038821), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander in Southeast Asia on 27 February 1968. On that date, Major Green penetrated an extremely hostile area to attempt the rescue of a downed crewmember. After breaking off one approach because of hostile activity, Major Green located the survivor on a steep cliff and hovered for twenty-five minutes until the survivor reached a suitable pick up area and was successfully recovered. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Green reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
March 14, 1968
Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order G-277 (November 15, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Joe B. Green (AFSN: 3038821), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near the Hue, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 March 1968. On that date, after two rescue helicopters had been seriously damaged by hostile fire, Major Green penetrated an extremely heavily defended hostile area to assist in the attempted rescue of a downed pilot. After the pilot reported that he was surrounded and that capture was imminent, a helicopter gunship, attempting to shoot its way through the hostile forces, was shot down near the downed pilot. Despite intense, accurately directed hostile fire, Major Green, without hesitation, descended and hovered his helicopter until the four injured crewmen were recovered. Disregarding damage to the fuel system and rotors of his helicopter, Major Green took off through the hail of hostile fire to complete the rescue. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Green has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
March 18, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Joe B. Green (AFSN: 0-3038821), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH3E Rescue Crew Commander in North Vietnam on 18 March 1968. On that date, Major Green penetrated deep into hostile territory in a search and rescue effort for a downed United States pilot. After a prolonged low-level search of the hostile area, Major Green located the survivor and affected his successful rescue. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Green reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
December 25, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Joe B. Green (AFSN: 3038821), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 25 December 1967. On that date, Major Green was scrambled for a rescue effort for two pilots whose plane had been shot down. Because of mountainous terrain and low, overcast cloud cover, it was necessary for Major Green to descend into an area of intense hostile fire in order to locate the survivors. Without fighter escort, Major Green entered the hostile area, after another aircraft had been hit and its pilot seriously wounded, and successfully rescued the downed pilots. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Green has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Air Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
March 30, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Major Joe B. Green (AFSN: 3038821), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-3E Rescue Crew Commander of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 30 March 1968. On that date, Major Green led a force of four rescue helicopters over hostile territory in low overcast weather to reach the survivors from four downed United States helicopters. Intelligence briefings had disclosed that it was impossible to neutralize the hostile gun emplacements at the rescue site. Despite the knowledge that two additional helicopters were shot down while he was approaching the area Major Green elected to make the initial rescue attempt. He persisted in the rescue attempt after hostile fire forced him away from the site. He made two additional approaches, courageously maintaining the aircraft in a stationary hover until the four most severely wounded survivors were rescued. Only then did fuel shortage, aircraft malfunctions, and the critical nature of the survivors’ wounds compel him to leave the area. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Green reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.