Alfred Jeanotte served as an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy, trained as an Aircraft Metalsmith, during World War II. He left active duty after the war and earned his commission through the ROTC program as Montana State University. During his service in Vietnam, in the evacuation of Kham Duc Special Forces Camp, members of the Air Force achieved a remarkable history of awards for valor. C-123 pilot Joe Jackson received the Medal of Honor and his Co-Pilot Major Jesse Campbell received the Air Force Cross. C-123 Pilot Jeanotte and C-130 pilots Majors Jesse Campbell and Bernard Bucher also received Air Force Crosses for their roles in this mission, the largest air-life since the Berlin Air Lift. Alfred Jeanotte retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel on May 31, 1974.
Sponsored by:
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Awards Received
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Air Force Cross
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
311th Air Commando SquadronRegiment:
315th Special Operations WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
May 12, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Alfred J. Jeannotte, Jr. (AFSN: 0-1847788), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a C-123 Aircraft Commander of the 311th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Special Operations Wing, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action at Kham Duc, Republic of Vietnam on 12 May 1968. On that date, Colonel Jeannotte and his crew landed at Kham Duc to evacuate the last United States personnel prior to abandoning the airfield to hostile forces. In spite of heavy hostile small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, and the fact that the airstrip was essentially under hostile forces control, Colonel Jeannotte and his crew landed and located these personnel. Although unable to complete the pickup due to the location of these personnel and his inadequate fuel supply, Colonel Jeannotte was able to direct a follow-on aircraft to a pickup point which allowed a successful evacuation. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Colonel Jeannotte reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.