The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Navy Award) to Captain (Transportation Corps) [then First Lieutenant] William B. Ailes (ASN: 0-5444332), United States Army, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Company A, 159th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 March 1969, Captain Ailes launched as Aircraft Commander of a transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of casualties and the re-supply of a Marine unit occupying Fire Support Base NEVILLE on a mountaintop just south of the Demilitarized Zone. Undeterred by an overcast which reached well below the crest of the mountain, and guided only by a radio operator at the fire base who judged the position of the helicopter by the sound of its rotors, Captain Ailes skillfully maneuvered his helicopter up the side of the mountain with the sling cargo only five to ten feet from the tops of the trees. Upon reaching the defensive perimeter, he utilized a bunker as a reference point and pivoted his aircraft until the load was properly positioned, lowered the cargo to the ground, and released it. Landing his helicopter nearby, he quickly embarked the casualties, air taxied down the side of the mountain, and proceeded to the medical facility at the Vandegrift Combat Base. On three more occasions, Captain Ailes ignored the extremely hazardous flight conditions as he resolutely returned to the fire support base to deliver vitally needed cargo and evacuate the wounded. His courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the successful accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Transportation Corps) [then First Lieutenant] William B. Ailes (ASN: 0-5444332), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 March 1969. Captain Ailes distinguished himself while serving as Aircraft Commander of a CH-47C Chinook helicopter in Company A, 159th Aviation Battalion (Assault Support), in support of the THIRD Marine Division, near Vandegrift Combat Base, Republic of Vietnam. Captain Ailes was sitting on the landing pad when a distress call was received on the emergency frequency of his radio. An A-4 Skyraider working south of Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, had been shot down by enemy ground fire, and the pilot had bailed out. Captain Ailes immediately left for the location of the downed pilot, having his crew rig the jungle penetrator in case his aircraft was needed for the extraction. Due to the large number of enemy troops in the area of the downed pilot, any delay in the extraction could lead to his capture or death. Captain Ailes elected to initiate the extraction before the UH-1 helicopter gunships reached the area. An approach was made to the downed pilot’s discarded parachute, and the helicopter was brought to a hover on the side of a steep hill. Due to the height of the trees, he was forced to hover the aircraft with the rotor blades scraping the tree tops. When the jungle penetrator was raised to approximately twenty feet, it jammed and could not be raised or lowered. Captain Ailes, with the guidance of his crew, lifted the pilot clear of the trees, climbed to one thousand feet, flew to a nearby fire base, lowered the pilot to the ground, and placed him on board the aircraft. Captain Ailes’ outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

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 addition to a previously awarded Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Transportation Corps) [then First Lieutenant] William B. Ailes (ASN: 0-5444332), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 March 1969. Captain Ailes distinguished himself while serving as Aircraft Commander of a CH-47C Chinook helicopter in Company A, 159th Aviation Battalion (Assault Support), in support of the THIRD and NINTH Marine Divisions, located at Vandegrift Combat Base, Republic of Vietnam. The mission was an emergency re-supply and medical evacuation of wounded personnel at Fire Support Base NEVILLE, located on a mountain peak near the Demilitarized Zone. The bottom of the overcast was near the base of the mountain, and the top of the overcast was well above the peak of the mountain. A seven thousand pound sling load of mortar ammunition was picked up, and the aircraft proceeded to the area of the fire base. Captain Ailes flew down a valley, bringing his aircraft at a hover at the base of the mountain. The overcast was light enough for the aircraft to hover up the side of the mountain at treetop level and keep the sling load five to ten feet above the trees. He then proceeded up the side of the mountain while having the radio operator at the fire base advise him how far the helicopter was from the base by the sound of the rotors. Upon reaching the perimeter of the fire base, he was directed along the edge of a cliff to a pad where the load could be dropped off. Captain Ailes used a small bunker as a reference point and pivoted the aircraft until the load was over the pad, set down, and released the load. He then moved his helicopter to one side, set it down so that the injured personnel could be loaded aboard, and flew back through the marginal weather. Captain Ailes’ outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Transportation Corps) William B. Ailes (ASN: 0-5444332), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 March 1969. Captain Ailes distinguished himself while serving with the 159th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion, as aircraft commander of a CH-47C Chinook helicopter, while flying in support of the THIRD Marine Division, located at Fire Support Base DELMAR, Republic of Vietnam. Due to the enemy situation, it was imperative that the ground unit be extracted before nightfall. Upon reaching the position, it was obvious that the ground unit was in contact with the enemy, and Marine CH-46 helicopters were being driven off by enemy fifty caliber, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. On his final approach, his aircraft came under intense fifty caliber fire which struck one rotor blade. Captain Ailes made a three hundred sixty degree turn and landed in the pickup zone. Shortly after landing, mortars began to impact ten meters from the aircraft. After a substantial amount of time for loading, he left the area. Upon his return for the remaining troops, he came under another mortar attack. Once again, he remained on the ground long enough for the troops to load their equipment and board. After returning to the base camp, the aircraft was grounded for maintenance due to hits taken during the extraction. Throughout the entire mission, he contributed immeasurably to the successful extraction of the troops and equipment under intense enemy fire. Captain Ailes’ personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Transportation Corps) [then First Lieutenant] William B. Ailes (ASN: 0-5444332), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 17 March 1969. Captain Ailes distinguished himself while serving as Aircraft Commander of a CH-47C Chinook helicopter in Company A, 159th Aviation Battalion (Assault Support), in support of the THIRD Marine Division, near Vandegrift Combat Base, Republic of Vietnam. The mission was an emergency evacuation of Fire Support Base CUNNINGHAM, which was under an enemy mortar attack, and helicopters were being driven off. During a pause in the mortar fire, Captain Ailes made an approach to the base and landed. As soon as the troops started to board the aircraft, it was taken under enemy mortar fire which was adjusted to within ten meters of the helicopter. He remained on the ground until a load of twenty-two men were on board and departed the area. On the ascent, the aircraft was caught in a cross fire which hit the number one engine, rendering it inoperative. Due to the load, altitude could not be attained, and he turned back to the fire base to make a forced landing. Immediately after landing, the aircraft was again taken under enemy mortar fire. It was obvious that if the aircraft were shut down, it would be destroyed in a matter of minutes. Captain Ailes elected to attempt a single engine take off and fly back to Vandegrift after letting the troops off. He put his aircraft into a dive off the side of a cliff to regain the rotor revolutions lost on take off and soon established a small rate of climb. Despite enemy fire and marginal weather, he flew the aircraft to Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, for repairs. Captain Ailes outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.