The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Sergeant Kenneth V. Sawyer (MCSN: 2374130), 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 evening of 1 June 1970, Sergeant Sawyer launched as Crew Chief aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the medical evacuation of several Marine casualties who had been extensively wounded by enemy mines. Arriving over the designated location, he observed that, when the tall elephant grass was parted by the downdraft from the rotor blades, the entire field was literally seeded with mines. Unwilling to risk additional casualties by allowing any member of the crew to walk about the area, the pilot conceived an imaginative plan whereby one of his men was to be lowered on the mechanical hoist to where each casualty lay, wait on the spot while the wounded man was lifted into the aircraft and then be carried on the hoist to the next stricken man. For approximately an hour, Sergeant Sawyer played a large part in this successful operation. Fully aware that the slightest miscalculation on his part could drag either the crewman or a casualty in the grass and thus detonate other mines, resulting in additional injuries and possible damage to his helicopter which would cause it to crash land in the minefield, he carefully lowered the hoist to precisely the correct level, slowly embarked a wounded man, then provide guidance which enabled the pilot to move to the next casualty and come to a steady hover. With the fall of darkness, it became necessary to utilize the exterior lights to aid the crewman at the end of the hoist in his examination of the casualties and to provide terrain references and, as a result, Sergeant Sawyer, in his dangerously exposed position at the open doorway, became a vulnerable target for automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire which enemy soldiers delivered at the transport from several different directions. Undaunted by this adversity, he steadfastly continued his determined efforts with calm deliberation until all the wounded men had been embarked and the helicopter directed toward the nearest medical facilities at DaNang. Sergeant Sawyer’s courage, expert technical assistance, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous lifesaving mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CorporalBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364)Regiment:
Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
October 21, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Kenneth V. Sawyer (MCSN: 2374130), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN (MAG-16), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 21 October 1969, Corporal Sawyer launched as Crew Chief aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the mission of inserting an eleven-man reaction force to reinforce a seven-man Marine reconnaissance team which had sustained five casualties while heavily engaged in combat with a numerically superior hostile force approximately twenty-one miles southwest of DaNang. When extremely adverse weather conditions prevented the insertion, he alertly observed and reported the position of other aircraft in the area and encouraged the passengers aboard his CH-46 during the seven hours his helicopter orbited the area while awaiting the clouds to dissipate enough to permit a landing. At that time, the weather had cleared sufficiently to enable another aircraft to insert an eight-man reconnaissance team which, shortly after landing, sustained six casualties. Undaunted by the intensity of the enemy automatic weapons fire directed at his CH-46, Corporal Sawyer calmly and skillfully provided a continuous flow of vital clearance information which enabled his pilot to avoid obstacles in the area and maneuvered to a landing. After the reaction force debarked, he completely disregarded his own safety as he boldly left his aircraft and fearlessly moved across the hazardous area infested with enemy mines to assist in carrying the six wounded Marines to his helicopter. After he provided clearance data as his pilot lifted out of the perilous zone, his aircraft proceeded to the medical facility at DaNang. Upon his return to the beleaguered Marines, Corporal Sawyer ignored the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire as he expertly provided precise clearance data during several approaches to the ground unit before he located an opening in the thick cloud cover and guided his CH-46 to a landing. For a second time, he left the relative safety of his aircraft as he valiantly braved the enemy fire and boldly moved on repeated trips across the heavily mined area to aid in carrying the remaining five casualties to his helicopter and placing them aboard. His aircraft then departed the perilous are for DaNang. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Sawyer was instrumental in saving the lives of several of his fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.