The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Peter Fletcher Angle (MCSN: 0-81994), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161), Provisional Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-NINE (MAG-39), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the afternoon of 18 August 1968, Captain Angle launched as Section Leader of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned an emergency extraction of a beleaguered reconnaissance team that was heavily engaged with a well entrenched North Vietnamese Army force in Quang Tri Province. Although two helicopters previously attempting the extraction had been badly damaged by intense hostile fire and forced to abort the mission, Captain Angle resolutely determined to recover the team. Arriving on the designated area, he established an orbit until fixed wing aircraft had completed their air strikes and then maneuvered his CH-46 to a hover near the beleaguered Marines, skillfully maintaining his aircraft’s port landing gear against a hillside. Ignoring the extremely heavy volume of North Vietnamese automatic weapons fire delivered against his aircraft, he resolutely remained in his exposed hover position in the fire-swept area while the Marines moved toward his helicopter. Although his aerial gunner was wounded and his aircraft sustained severe damage from the hostile fire, Captain Angle calmly pinpointed enemy targets for his armed escort helicopters until all the team had boarded his CH-46. Displaying exceptional aeronautical ability, he expeditiously departed the area and skillfully maneuvered his damaged aircraft to the Rockpile, where he landed safely. By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Angle was instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
June 22, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Peter Fletcher Angle (MCSN: 0-81994), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161), Provisional Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-NINE (MAG-39), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 22 June 1968, Captain Angle launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned several insertions and extractions in support of reconnaissance teams near Khe Sanh Combat Base in Quang Tri Province. When two six-man patrols came under intense automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force shortly after their insertion, he resolutely determined to return to their position and attempt an extraction. Arriving over the designated area, he coordinated his flight with that of two armed UH-1E helicopters and unhesitatingly commenced his approach into the fire-swept landing zone. When an escort aircraft’s weapons malfunctioned, Captain Angle fearlessly continued his approach and, directing his gunners to deliver a heavy volume of suppressive fire upon the enemy emplacements, skillfully maneuvered his aircraft into the confined zone. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near him, he steadfastly remained in the hazardous area until the beleaguered units were embarked aboard his helicopter. Continuing his determined efforts, he effectively directed the fire of both his crew members and the reconnaissance teams against the hostile positions, while expeditiously departing the area. Captain Angle’s courage, superb airmanship and unfaltering devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
July 8, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Peter Fletcher Angle (MCSN: 0-81994), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161), Provisional Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-NINE (MAG-39), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 8 July 1968, Captain Angle launched as Section Leader of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to evacuate casualties from Hill 689 near the Khe Sanh Combat Base, which was under attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force that had penetrated the perimeter. Boldly landing his helicopter on the hill, he ignored the heavy volume of hostile rifle, grenade and anti-tank rocket fire as he steadfastly remained in the hazardous area until eight seriously wounded Marines were embarked before expeditiously departing for the medical facility at Dong Ha. Fearlessly returning to the fire-swept zone, he remained undaunted by the enemy fire as fourteen injured Marines were placed aboard his aircraft. Awaiting daylight, Captain Angle again proceeded to Hill 689 where he extracted a wounded Marine, lifted out of the dangerous area and established an orbit while waiting for the movement of other casualties to the landing zone. After being informed of a delay in carrying the injured to the zone, he resolutely determined to attempt an external lift of cargo to help prepare the outpost for future evacuation. When his co-pilot was wounded by intense hostile fire after successfully attaching the external cargo, Captain Angle immediately seized the aircraft’s controls and skillfully maneuvered the CH-46 out of the fire-swept area. His heroic actions and resolute determination during more than seven hours of continuous flight inspired all who observed him and contributed materially to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission. By his courage, superior airmanship and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Angle upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.