The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John E. Rhodes (MCSN: 0-103759), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HML-367), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 17 October 1969, First Lieutenant Rhodes launched from the Quang Tri Air Base as Wingman in a section of two armed UH-1E Helicopters escorting seven other aircraft which had been assigned the emergency mission of extracting a United States Army Special Forces reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force deep in enemy-controlled territory. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions which forced the flight pattern to be readjusted, he ably assisted the section leader in guiding the flight around lowering clouds and in maintaining flight integrity until the flight arrived over the designated area. Undaunted by the intensity of the hostile fire directed at his aircraft and the hazards encountered in maneuvering his gunship in the darkness over the rugged terrain, First Lieutenant Rhodes fearlessly maneuvered his helicopter on repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such precision that the enemy fire was suppressed sufficiently to allow his flight leader to execute low-altitude passes to pinpoint he beleaguered patrol’s position in a densely jungled area surrounded by high ridges. Continuing to brave the hostile fire, he provided accurate and highly effective suppressive fire which enabled two of the extraction aircraft to establish a hover above the pick-up site, hoist the embattled reconnaissance team aboard, and depart the precarious area without sustaining battle damage. En route to Quang Tri, he again aided the section leader in maintaining flight integrity in the adverse weather until the flight’s arrival at the air base. First Lieutenant Rhodes’ courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John E. Rhodes (MCSN: 0-103759), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HML-367), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 September 1969, First Lieutenant Rhodes launched from the Quang Tri Combat Base as Section Leader of a flight of two UH-1E Huey helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the re-supply of a Marine reconnaissance team operating deep in enemy-controlled territory and the medical evacuation of the team’s casualties. Despite adverse weather conditions, he proceeded to the designated area and, establishing radio contact with the patrol, was informed that the Marines had broken contact with a hostile force. After maneuvering his aircraft on a low-altitude flight in order to draw the fire of the enemy in the area and disclose the hostile firing positions, First Lieutenant Rhodes, when no fire was encountered, directed the lead transport helicopter to commence its approach to the landing zone while he provided cover. When his flight came under an extremely heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire, several rounds of which struck his aircraft, he completely disregarded his own safety as he resolutely maneuvered his aircraft on repeated rocket and strafing runs and boldly delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to allow the transport to enter the hazardous area, discharge its load of supplies, embark the casualties, and safely depart the dangerous zone. First Lieutenant Rhodes’ courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

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 to First Lieutenant John E. Rhodes (MCSN: 0-103759), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (HML-367), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 31 August 1969. First Lieutenant Rhodes launched as Section leader of a flight of helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a United States Army Special Forces reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force in a mountainous area deep in enemy-controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the friendly patrol was located in tall elephant grass on the side of a steep ridge and was receiving intense hostile fire from three sides. Realizing the urgency of extracting the beleaguered team when fire in the dry grass caused by gunship attacks on the enemy positions further endangered the reconnaissance patrol, First Lieutenant Rhodes, undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire directed at his aircraft, directed the incoming helicopters into the hazardous area and then maneuvered his gunship in delivering daring and repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered all of his ordnance on the enemy position with pinpoint accuracy. As a result of his flight’s determined attacks the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to allow the transport aircraft to enter the precarious area and safely extract the reconnaissance team. First Lieutenant Rhodes’ courage, superior airmanship and devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental to accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.