The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Jeffry D. Monaghan, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 April 1969, First Lieutenant Monaghan launched as Copilot aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of three casualties from a Marine unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a large hostile force northwest of Liberty Bridge in Quang Nam Province. Undaunted by the intensity of the enemy fire which had thwarted three previous attempts to extract the wounded Marines, he skillfully monitored his instruments and equipment, assisted at the controls, alertly located and reported the sources of hostile fire, and provided a continuous flow of vital information which enabled his pilot to enter the hazardous area and maneuver his aircraft to cover behind a tree line. While his helicopter air taxied to the landing zone, First Lieutenant Monaghan directed his crewmen to concentrate their suppressive fire on the enemy positions. Although his CH-46 was struck by numerous enemy rounds, he completely disregarded his own safety as he aided in maintaining the aircraft in a stable position until the casualties were placed aboard. Departing the perilous area, he ably navigated his aircraft to the An Hoa Combat Base where the wounded men received emergency medical treatment and then continued his flight to the hospital at Da Nang. Later the same day, First Lieutenant Monaghan returned to the same dangerous zone in response to another urgent request to extract additional casualties. Although his aircraft came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire as it approached the landing zone, he remained calm and provided precise flight data which enabled his pilot to land in the fire-swept zone, embark the casualties, and depart safely despite serious battle damage to his aircraft. First Lieutenant Monaghan’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.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Jeffry D. Monaghan, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 May 1969, First Lieutenant Monaghan launched as Copilot aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of ten casualties from a Marine company which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnam Army force near the village of My Heip (3) in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the wounded Marines were located in five separate positions scattered about in the open rice paddies and that the proximity of the opposing forces precluded the delivery of suppressive fire by supporting aircraft. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire directed at his helicopter, First Lieutenant Monaghan skillfully monitored his gauges, coordinated the actions of the crew, aided at the controls, and provided a continuous flow of vital information which enabled his pilot to air-taxi at low altitude above the fire-swept, open rice paddies to all five positions and remain in the precarious landing zones until all the casualties were embarked. Then, he assisted his pilot in lifting out of the perilous area and navigated his CH-46 to the nearest medical facility. First Lieutenant Monaghan’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Jeffry D. Monaghan, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 8 April 1969, Fist Lieutenant Monaghan launched as Copilot aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a casualty from a nine-man Marine reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force deep in enemy-controlled territory in Quang Nam Province. When the decision was made to extract the entire team and the outnumbered Marines moved with the wounded man toward a river, First Lieutenant Monaghan skillfully monitored his instruments and equipment and provided a continuous flow of vital information which enabled his pilot to avoid the tall trees and execute a hover with a portion of his aircraft submerged in the river. Unable to break contact with the hostile unit, the Marines fought their way to the river’s edge and began wading out to the helicopter while continuing to return fire on the enemy. Undaunted by the intensity of the hostile fire directed at his aircraft, First Lieutenant Monaghan ably assisted his pilot at the controls as his CH-46 remained in its precarious position until all members of the reconnaissance team had boarded the aircraft. When the water inside the aircraft caused its nose to suddenly pitch into the air as it was lifting out of the river, endangering the passengers who started to fall toward the open ramp, he expertly recycled the ramp to close before any of the Marines were washed overboard. Although his aircraft’s rotor blades were cutting tree branches and water was draining from the fuselage, he remained calm and expertly provided precise clearance data as his helicopter lifted out of the perilous area and departed for the nearest medical facility. First Lieutenant Monaghan’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.