The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Chester Perkins Brown (AFSN: FV-3008912), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 October 1967. On that date, Major Brown was scrambled as lead of two armed helicopters to provide gunship cover for seven unarmed helicopters which were surrounded by hostile forces. Although one gunship had been moderately damaged just prior to his arrival at the scene, Major Brown, without hesitation, led the gunships on several low-level rocket and gun passes in an attempt to break the attack. He maintained his low-level protective orbit for approximately forty-five minutes while the party moved to a more suitable landing zone. Subsequently, he jettisoned his remaining ammunition and made an approach to the landing zone, unarmed, to pick up the remaining members of the assault party when three of the extraction helicopters ran low on fuel and had to return to friendly territory for re-servicing. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Brown reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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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
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Chester Perkins Brown (AFSN: FV-3008912), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a UH-1F Helicopter Pilot in Southeast Asia on 9 December 1967. On that date, Major Brown led a flight of two armed helicopters in response to a call for help from a reconnaissance team that was pinned down by a large group of hostile forces. On the first pass, while attempting to pinpoint the friendly team, heavy automatic weapons fire was encountered, and Major Brown made a low level turn and continued to press the attack until his mini-guns malfunctioned, forcing him to pull off the target. After fighter aircraft had expended their ordnance on the target, he again made several low level passes over the area to check for ground fire before an unarmed helicopter was called in to extract the team. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Brown reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
20th Helicopter SquadronAction Date:
October 6, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-226 (January 19, 1968)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 Major Chester Perkins Brown (AFSN: FV-3008912), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a UH-1F Helicopter Aircraft Commander of the 20th Helicopter Squadron, in action near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 October 1967. On that date, Major Brown’s aircraft was scrambled to assist in suppressing ground fire around a downed A-1E Skyraider. With complete disregard for his own personal safety he made repeated firing passes and destroyed five automatic weapon positions while under heavy hostile fire. The lead aircraft was hit by ground fire, and Major Brown dove his aircraft into the area to suppress the fire, thus allowing the stricken aircraft to leave the area. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Brown has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.