Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Captain Joseph Camden Hogg, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Hogg distinguished himself on 20 January 1972, while serving as Aircraft Commander of a UH-1H Helicopter of Troop D, 17th Cavalry (Airmobile), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), en route to Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam. The aircraft leading Captain Hogg’s received several damaging hits when it came under enemy anti-aircraft fire and burst into flames as it was forced down in a river. Through a barrage of hostile fire, Captain Hogg maneuvered his aircraft managing to land it on the river bank. Immediately, he jumped from his aircraft, swam across the monsoon-swollen river, and assisted the wounded out of the burning, exploding aircraft. Making three crossings of the river to extract the wounded to the rescue aircraft, Captain Hogg was injured himself. Realizing the other crew members were too seriously injured to make the crossing, he directed his aircraft to hover above the wreckage while he assisted the men on board. Captain Hogg’s gallantry in action was 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

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain

    Regiment:

    17th Cavalry (Airmobile)

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1972

    Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), General Orders No. 1444 (February 28, 1972)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Captain Joseph Camden Hogg, Jr., United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Hogg distinguished himself on 7 February 1972 while serving as pilot of a medical evacuation helicopter of Troop D, 17th Cavalry (Airmobile), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), while attempting the medical evacuation of several injured men from Fire Support Base Bastogne, Republic of Vietnam. When notified of the urgency of this mission and the failure of another helicopter’s attempt to evacuate the men due to extremely poor weather conditions, Captain Hogg volunteered to attempt the evacuation. Because of the very poor weather conditions, it was necessary to hover his aircraft down a river, and then a trail that led to the Fire Support Base. Captain Hogg asked the artillery unit on the base to shoot some flares and try to mark the landing zone so that he could attempt a landing. He was notified that they had already put out flare markers, but weather was so poor that Captain Hogg could not locate the base. When informed the completion of the mission was vital to saving the men’s lives he elected to continue the mission. Continuing to ask for flares and with the help of his pilot, Captain Hogg managed to land the aircraft at the fire base and evacuate the injured men, still having to maneuver through the same weather conditions to deliver the men to proper medical facilities. Captain Hogg’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.