Navy Federal Credit Union

After serving in the Vietnam War, Michael Grimm was tasked with creating a special operations helicopter unit. Under a veil of tight secrecy the unit developed tactics and equipment that formed the basis for what became the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Grimm was killed in an air crash while leading a long range, night vision assault mission on October 7, 1981.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    47th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Brigade

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 8, 1968

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3887 (August 3, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Michael Charles Grimm (ASN: 0-5338999), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Grimm distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 March 1968 as a platoon leader of an infantry company during an air assault near My Tho. Enemy fire on the landing zone was so intense that one helicopter was shot down and five were unable to land, leaving Lieutenant Grimm’s platoon and the company’s command group alone in the clearing. During the initial contact, Lieutenant Grimm and ten men were wounded, and several other troops were killed, including the platoon sergeant and the platoon medic. Under a withering hail of enemy fire, Lieutenant Grimm moved to his right flank and eliminated several enemy positions, enabling his men to maneuver out of the open rice paddy into more protected positions. Although painfully wounded, he exposed himself to rocket and mortar fire to extract two other casualties from the clearing. When the insurgents attempted to flank his unit, Lieutenant Grimm directed artillery to within fifty meters of his own position which enabled his men to maneuver to another rice paddy dike. Under the cover of darkness, he led a group of volunteers outside the perimeter to secure all the wounded and move them to safety. When the Viet Cong attempted to capture the downed helicopter’s armament, he led a small group to the wreckage and successfully stripped it of all weapons, electronic equipment and medical supplies shortly before the enemy seized the craft. Second Lieutenant Grimm’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.