Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Alfred William Morey (MCSN: 2321746), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMH-463), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 June 1970, Sergeant Morey was Crew Chief aboard a CH-53 transport aircraft which was engaged in re-supplying a Republic of Korea Marine Corps unit located in an area southeast of DaNang when the helicopter was diverted to Go Noi Island where several Republic of Korea Marines had been seriously wounded when their armored personnel carrier detonated an enemy mine. Immediately upon landing, he exited the helicopter and commenced assisting the injured men to the aircraft for medical evacuation, simultaneously directing those physically able to provide security against possible hostile fire. Subsequently learning that one remaining wounded Korean Marine lay in proximity to the destroyed vehicle, Sergeant Morey proceeded to a vantage point from which he could view the terrain and observed that all avenues of approach to the stricken man were seeded with mutually supporting mines. Nevertheless, determined to reach the Marine, he skillfully picked his way through the dangerous area to the side of the casualty, picked him up and fearlessly carried him back across the mined field to the helicopter. Once embarked, he observed that the wounded man showed no visible life signs and, working quickly, applied mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and external heart massage while en route to the nearest medical facility. As a result of his knowledgeable and tireless efforts, the man’s breathing and heartbeat were restored within a short period of time. By his courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Sergeant Morey saved the life of a Republic of Korea Marine and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Air Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 (HMH-463)

    Action Date:

    January 10, 1970

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Air Medal to Corporal Alfred William Morey (MCSN: 2321746), United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the afternoon of 10 January 1970, Corporal Morey launched as Crew Chief aboard the second aircraft in a flight of four CH-53 transport helicopters assigned the emergency mission of re-supplying the United States Army Special Forces Camps at Thuong Duc and Nong Son in Quang Nam Province which were critically low on food and ammunition. More than a week of inclement weather had prevented flights to the beleaguered outposts. Thuong Duc had a small landing zone at the base of a mountain near the head of a valley while Nong Son was located on the top of a 1,000 foot high mountain surrounded on three sides by high ridges in an area where high winds created considerable turbulence. After his aircraft had acquired a maximum gross weight external cargo load, Corporal Morey, despite the lack of gunship support, a 1,000-foot ceiling, and extremely poor visibility caused by rain showers and approaching darkness, ably provided a continuous flow of vital clearance information as his flight proceeded up the valley toward the Thuong Duc Camp. Undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile automatic weapons fire directed at his CH-53, he alertly located and reported the sources of enemy fire which enabled his pilot to take evasive action and safely reach the drop zone where the cargo was quickly detached. On the flights to Nong Son, Corporal Morey expertly provided precise flight information which enabled his helicopter to be maneuvered through hazardous weather and terrain and, guided by the ground unit’s flashlights, accurately placed its cargo in the drop zone. Repeatedly ignoring the intense enemy fire encountered during several sorties to each of the camps, he aided his pilot in negotiating the treacherous mountain peaks in the darkness on approaches to the unfamiliar zones until his mission was completed. Corporal Morey’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.