Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Hospital Corpsman Third Class

    Batallion:

    Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    June 22, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Gaffney Creed (NSN: 6925779), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on the night of 22 June 1966, as a Hospital Corpsman with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-161), First Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam. Serving aboard the lead helicopter on a medical evacuation mission seven miles north of Quang Tri when the helicopter landed in the midst of a fierce battle where many Vietnamese troops lay wounded, Petty Officer Creed unhesitatingly leaped onto the battlefield to organize the evacuation of the more seriously wounded, loading ten casualties aboard the helicopter before boarding himself. On the second trip into the battle area, he again left the helicopter, despite intense small-arms fire and mortars in the zone, and loaded the rescue aircraft with ten more wounded. Observing that more wounded still remained in the zone, Petty Officer Creed elected to stay and load the second helicopter. While he was engaged in this task, the helicopter was struck by enemy fire which wounded the pilot. Completely absorbed by the job at hand, Petty Officer Creed waded through the muddy rice paddy, selflessly disregarding the tracers and mortars, until the battlefield was cleared of wounded, finally boarding the helicopter which departed through a hail of tracer fire. Through his prompt and courageous actions, Petty Officer Creed was instrumental in saving the lives of over twenty wounded troops as well as expediting the loading and minimizing the exposure time for the helicopters and crews. His determined and heroic efforts in the face of great personal danger was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.