The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Allen Jones Avery, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Specialist on an HH-3E helicopter of the 37th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action in Southeast Asia on 5 October 1968. On that date, Sergeant Avery volunteered to attempt the extremely hazardous extraction of a Special Forces team after their insertion helicopter had been shot down and the team surrounded by hostile forces. En route to the distress site he learned that a rescue helicopter had been shot down while attempting the extraction, fatally injuring two crew members. Despite low cloud cover, which prevented the use of fighter escort, Sergeant Avery, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, penetrated the hostile area and directed his helicopter to a hover adjacent the burning crash site. During the prolonged hover, Sergeant Avery provided accurate suppressive machine gun fire and assisted in the rescue of the two crash survivors and the six surviving team members. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Avery has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Airman’s Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Technical SergeantBatallion:
37th Air Rescue and Recovery SquadronDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
April 6, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Allen Jones Avery, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Specialist on an HH-3E helicopter of the 37th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 April 1972. On that date, Sergeant Avery was flying as a Pararescue Specialist of an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter that was attempting to rescue the survivors of a downed United States aircraft from certain death or capture by hostile armed forces. Flying into a heavily defended area, the aircraft encountered severe ground hostile fire rendering the aircraft uncontrollable at an extremely low altitude. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Avery has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Airman’s Medal
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Staff Sergeant Allen Jones Avery, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life at Agrihan Island, Trust Territories of the Pacific, on 13 May 1966. On that date, Airman Avery deploy with full para-scuba gear into rough seas near Agrihan Island, risking possible severe injury on the sheer cliffs and the rough surf surrounding the island’s only beach, in order to determine the nature of an unidentified epidemic. Upon examination of the forty-six residents, Airman Avery found that all were suffering from colds, ear infections, and bronchitis and that two small children had acute pneumonia. The prompt and proper treatment administered by Airman Avery was directly responsible for the saving of the life of a six month old baby. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, Airman Avery has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.