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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Jesse R. Greer (MCSN: 0-65804), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-361), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 3 April 1967, Major Greer was pilot of the DaNang area medical evacuation helicopter en route to a medical facility with three casualties aboard his aircraft when he was diverted on an emergency mission to extract several critically wounded Marines from a zone near his return route. Informed that extremely heavy enemy fire could be expected in the zone and that aerial fire support would not be available due to the proximity of friendly and enemy positions, Major Greer unhesitatingly decided to attempt the landing after being advised that one of the wounded would not survive unless he was immediately evacuated. Skillfully maneuvering his aircraft through the heavy ground fire, he safely landed the helicopter, quickly embarked three wounded Marines and lifted out of the hazardous area. While in the landing zone, his aircraft was hit six times, severely damaging the transmission which seriously jeopardized the helicopter’s ability to remain airborne. Despite the perilous situation, Major Greer, realizing that one of the seriously wounded Marines needed immediate medical attention in order to survive, courageously decided to bypass safe landing zones and proceed directly to the First Medical Battalion Hospital. Demonstrating superior aeronautical skill in controlling his severely damaged aircraft, he succeeded in bringing the helicopter safely down at the medical facility, undoubtedly saving the life of the wounded Marine. A subsequent inspection of the helicopter revealed that it was in operable and a replacement aircraft was delivered to Major Greer. He then launched on another medical evacuation mission, returning to the same hazardous zone of his earlier mission. Because of the extremely heavy volume of Viet Cong fire, Major Greer was unable to land on his first approach. After attempting a different angle of approach, he successfully extracted the wounded Marine and expeditiously proceeded to the nearest medical facility. By his superior airmanship, uncommon courage and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Major Greer upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMM-361)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    October 31, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Jesse R. Greer (MCSN: 0-65804), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-361), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Flying the fourth aircraft in a flight of five UH-34D transport helicopters, Major Greer participated in the retraction of two Marine reconnaissance patrols, surrounded and under fire by numerically superior enemy forces in isolated mountain zones, twelve miles west of Tam Ky in Quang Tin Province. Realizing the perilous position of the twenty-five man team located in the first zone, the flight leader immediately established an approach pattern into the small, hastily cleared hilltop landing area. After the third aircraft entered and departed the zone, Major Greer courageously commenced his approach, skillfully maneuvering his helicopter along a ridge line to conceal his position and evade enemy fire. After the Marines loaded aboard his helicopter, he executed a maximum power lift off through intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Alertly, his aerial gunners returned a heavy volume of suppressive fire while the accompanying armed helicopters attacked the Viet Cong positions. Upon the completion of the first extraction mission, the flight off-loaded the Marines at a nearby secure zone and proceeded to aid the second beleaguered twenty-four man reconnaissance patrol. Despite a rapidly diminishing fuel supply and deteriorating weather conditions, Major Greer courageously followed the third aircraft into the hostile zone. Executing a difficult one-wheel hover landing on the steep slope because of the small landing area, he successfully departed the zone after the Marines had boarded his aircraft. His selfless and heroic actions were instrumental in the accomplishment of the retraction missions and undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous Marines. Major Greer’s exceptional aeronautical skill, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.