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 Colonel Michael Ryan Yunck (MCSN: 0-7484), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the First Marine Aircraft Wing in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 December 1965, while serving as the Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne) for a helicopter landing operation near Tam Ky, Colonel Yunck was engaged in spotting and marking targets for strike aircraft in support of an assault helicopter lift. Eight passes over the insecure landing zone were made to pinpoint the sources of insurgent communist (Viet Cong) fire which was being directed into the landing zone jeopardizing the first wave of troop-laden UH-34D aircraft. Realizing the hazard which threatened the assault troops and their transport helicopters, Colonel Yunck, armed only with spotting rockets and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, took his aircraft into close range in order to gain a more accurate position of the intense enemy fire. During this pass, heavy and accurate automatic weapons fire was directed at his aircraft by the Viet Cong. One .50 caliber round entered the cockpit and struck Colonel Yunck who was in control of the aircraft. Although grievously wounded, Colonel Yunck calmly passed control of the aircraft to the other pilot. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Colonel Yunck upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Observation Squadron 251 (VMO-251)Action Date:
October 26 – December 10, 1942
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Michael Ryan Yunck (MCSN: 0-7484), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while detached to a detachment of Marine Observation Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE (VMO-251), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 26 October to 10 December 1942. In this prolonged series of intense hostile activities, First Lieutenant Yunck, displaying superb airmanship participated in numerous hazardous missions, serving as leader of an eight-plane flight of fighters during the latter part of the period. On one occasion when his plane was so badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire that he was forced to land in the sea, First Lieutenant Yunck, through his own resourcefulness and sheer determination, made his way back, after three weeks, to his base on Guadalcanal to resume flight duties. Later, while leading a four-plane fighter group, he personally accounted for three of six enemy aircraft shot down in a vigorous engagement, and in this action received such extensive damage to his own plane that all the navigational instruments ceased to function. Despite this severe handicap and under extremely adverse conditions imposed by darkness and heavy rain, First Lieutenant Yunck, with excellent judgment and superior professional ability, successfully returned to his base. His dauntless courage and valiant devotion to duty in the face of great odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant Michael Ryan Yunck (MCSN: 0-7484), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.