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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Vincent Joseph Guinee (MCSN: 0-64735), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, as the Flight Leader of an emergency lift for the purpose of reinforcing a Marine rifle company that had made heavy contact with a large communist Viet Cong force during Operation COLORADO in South Vietnam on the night of 10 August 1966. Major Guinee repeatedly led his flight into a perilous tree-surrounded landing zone which was surrounded by the communist Viet Cong. Despite the fact that the aircraft in his flight came under intense enemy fire during their approaches to and departures from the zone, Major Guinee pressed on in his approach. During the first departure from the zone two of the aircraft in his flight were damaged by enemy fire to the extent that they were no longer safe to fly. Though Major Guinee realized that this would require the remainder of the flight to enter the perilous zone one more time, he continued the lift with cool determination and led the remainder of the flight into the zone a total of six times. This magnificent display of courage set an inspiring example for the other pilots in his flight. His loyalty and courage under intense enemy fire ensured the successful completion of the lift and assured a victory over the communist forces. Major Guinee’s daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMM-361)

    Division:

    1st Marine Aircraft Wing

    Action Date:

    July 9 – 10, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Vincent Joseph Guinee (MCSN: 0-64735), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Helicopter Aircraft Commander and Maintenance Officer with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-361), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, during 9 and 10 July 1966 at Marine Corps Air Facility, Ky Ha, Republic of Vietnam. Major Guinee, at great risk to his own life, overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles, including intense enemy fire to recover three apparently lost UH-34D helicopters. Early in the afternoon of 9 July 1966 a helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 361 was shot down while on a medical evacuation mission near Binh Son, Vietnam. Upon receiving word of the downed helicopter, Major Guinee organized a maintenance crew to attempt recover of the helicopter. Braving the same fire that had shot down the helicopter, Major Guinee landed the maintenance crew to commence recovery of the downed helicopter. In the ensuing six hours, Major Guinee, with firm determination to recover the helicopter, made four similar approaches and departures into the zone, all under intense fire. The culmination of his effort was the successful recovery of the downed helicopter. Although his aircraft was hit by enemy fire several times, he was able to make the recovery without serious injury to any of the crew involved. On 10 July, on another instance, when a squadron aircraft was forced down in enemy held territory due to an engine failure, Major Guinee again volunteered to lead the recovery team. Again under intense enemy fire, Major Guinee landed in the area of the downed aircraft and stayed in the zone without benefit of cover attempting to start and fly the damaged aircraft out of enemy territory. A flight of helicopters landing a reaction force of U.S. Marines to protect the helicopter and crew sustained heavy losses from the enemy fire – four helicopters were badly shot-up and a fifth was shot down in flames. As nightfall came, it was decided to dismantle the downed helicopter and fly the pieces out. Early the next morning Major Guinee was on the scene to supervise and assist in removing the parts of the helicopter. As he hovered to pick up a tail pylon, his helicopter was shot down by enemy automatic weapons fire. There were now two aircraft down in the zone. Major Guinee persisted however in the recovery attempts until the dismantled helicopter was completely removed and his shot down aircraft was temporarily fixed so he could fly it to a secure area. Major Guinee had great difficulty in keeping his damaged aircraft airborne over enemy territory and upon landing at home base, the engine quit and the aircraft had to be pushed to a parking spot. Major Guinee’s courage, iron determination, aeronautical skill and complete disregard for his own safety resulted in the salvaging of three Marine helicopters, critically needed in Vietnam, for further use against the enemy. His courage and selfless actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.