Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Specialist Fifth Class Victor J. Honeysette, United States Army, for heroism, while participating in aerial flight, evidence by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with the 82d Medical Detachment, 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, United States Army Medical Command, Vietnam (Provisional). Specialist Five Honeysette distinguished himself late on the night of 28 December 1969 while serving as crew chief aboard a helicopter ambulance during a rescue mission in Vinh Long Province. He had been requested to participate in the evacuation of two American advisors seriously wounded when their small Vietnamese Army outpost was encircled and attacked by enemy elements armed with mortars and automatic weapons. Coordinating cover fire from helicopter gunships already on station, Specialist Honeysette and fellow crew made an approach of the besieged outpost but were driven off by heavy volumes of automatic weapons fire. Four more times, the rescue team tried to bring their air ambulance into the emergency pickup site from varying directions, but each time they were met by heavy enemy fire and were forced to abort their approach. On their sixth attempt, the crew made a straight descent from a high altitude and brought their aircraft to a hover over the emergency landing zone. Before the wounded could be boarded, however, a hail of mortar and automatic weapons fire rained down on the unarmed aircraft. Specialist Honeysette and crew lifted off hastily and flew back to their base of operation to assess damages to their aircraft. Shortly after, they returned to the besieged outpost and successfully evacuated the two wounded Americans. Specialist Honeysette’s outstanding courage 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.

Awards Received