The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Curtis Terrance Crews (MCSN: 0-90827), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-263), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 2 August 1967, Captain Crews launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a casualty from a Marine unit that was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force deep in enemy-controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the landing zone was too small for his aircraft and located in an area surrounded by high bamboo. Undaunted by the intense enemy fire directed against his aircraft and the extremely hazardous conditions of the terrain, he skillfully maneuvered his helicopter to chop his way through the bamboo with his rotor blades, and successfully landed in the zone. Ignoring the extensive damage to a vital hydraulic system and the main rotor transmission caused by the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire, Captain Crews completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly remained in his dangerously exposed position until the wounded Marine was embarked and then lifted out of the precarious area. Skillfully maneuvering his crippled aircraft he subsequently executed a safe landing at the nearest medical facility. Captain Crews’ courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM-263)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
August 2, 1967
Award Reported in Leatherneck Magazine -
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 1988 – July 1993
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Curtis Terrance Crews (MCSN: 0-90827), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Program Manager for Attack Helicopters, Program Executive Officer for Air Anti-submarine Warfare Assault, and Special Mission Programs from July 1988 through July 1993. Colonel Crews demonstrated exceptional leadership and managerial ability in executing over $4 billion in programs that spanned the acquisition life cycle, including production of state-of-the-art aircraft, and development of a joint international night targeting system for attack helicopters. Despite funding instabilities, engineering challenges, logistical complexities, and the political sensitivities of international program participation, he consistently achieved the technical, cost, and schedule objectives. Colonel Crews’ innovative idea to block upgrade older configuration aircraft resulted in savings of over $200 million, and by his superior orchestration of the diverse activities of military, civilian, and contractor personnel, both foreign and domestic, he repeatedly delivered quality weapons to Fleet Marine Forces and allied countries within cost and on or ahead of schedule. By his personal drive and ingenuity, combat-ready aircraft were delivered to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally within an unprecedented five months from sale, and night targeting systems were made available to support Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM within four months. Colonel Crews’ exceptional leadership, professionalism, and selfless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
December 1985 – June 1988
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Curtis Terrance Crews (MCSN: 0-90827), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Special Assistant and Marine Corps Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Engineering and Systems) from December 1q985 to June 1988. In discharging his demanding responsibilities in connection with the Department of the Navy’s Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Program, Colonel Crews demonstrated the highest degree of managerial skill, persuasive leadership, deep professional knowledge, and competence. His commitment to the improvement of the capability of naval forces in the defense of the United States provided an important contribution to the renewed strength of those forces. Colonel Crews’ assistance in the development, implementation, and articulation of policy and his sound advice concerning the requirements of combat forces has had a positive and lasting impact on the conduct of the Department of the Navy’s Research and Development Program. Through his keen awareness and understanding of national policy and objectives and dynamic personal involvement, he made a significant contribution toward improving the efficiency and responsiveness of this multi-billion dollar program. Colonel Crews’ impressive performance, resourcefulness, and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM-263)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
November 24, 1970
Award Reported in Leatherneck MagazineThe 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 Captain Curtis Terrance Crews (MCSN: 0-90827), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving 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 morning of 24 November 1970, Captain Crews launched as Wingman, in a flight of two AH-1G Cobra helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency medical evacuation of eight casualties from a Marine company which had become heavily engaged in combat with a large hostile force shortly after it had been inserted into a section of Antenna Valley in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he found that rain, mist, and a ceiling as low as fifty feet above the ground would severely restrict visibility and his area of maneuverability and was informed that the wounded Marines were located at three different pick-up sites along a river bed in a narrow, twisting ravine. Undaunted by the constant threat of enemy fire and the difficulty of maneuvering his gunship in the confined area, he led a CH-46 transport helicopter into the hazardous area and boldly positioned his Cobra between the transport and the entrenched enemy as he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft to provide cover while escorting the extraction aircraft to each of the pick-up sites. Although hostile fire was encountered only after the last of the casualties were embarked, he ably provided cover which enabled the transport to depart the dangerous area and proceed to the nearest medical facility. Captain Crews’ 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 of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 367 (HML-367)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
February 23, 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Curtis Terrance Crews (MCSN: 0-90827), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving 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 combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 February 1971, while participating in Operation LAM SON 719, Captain Crews launched as Flight Leader of four AH-1G Cobra helicopters to provide armed gunship support for CH-53 transport helicopters assigned the emergency mission of delivering supplies to and transferring heavy artillery pieces from Fire Support Base HOTEL II, which was under attack from a large North Vietnamese Army force deep in enemy-controlled territory. Through the day and night, the base had been subjected to a heavy volume of hostile rocket, artillery, and mortar fire and the fire from numerous anti-aircraft sites surrounding the fire support base which had downed several friendly aircraft. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Crews maneuvered his gunship on a low, fast orbit of the area and provided cover as the first transport successfully dropped its external load and removed one of the field pieces. When the second transport came under withering enemy automatic anti-aircraft fire as it approached the drop zone, he unhesitatingly attacked the North Vietnamese positions and silenced their fire. When the transport established a hover prior to releasing its cargo, it came under heavy enemy mortar attack. After directing the endangered helicopter to immediately lift out of the area, Captain Crews quickly located the hostile firing emplacement, and undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire directed at his Cobra, fearlessly executed repeated rocket and strafing runs until his ammunition was expended. Following the refueling and rearming of his aircraft at Khe Sanh, he resolutely returned to the beleaguered base and learned that two more friendly gunships had been shot down. Ignoring the hazards of maneuvering his Cobra in approaching darkness over the rugged mountain terrain, with visibility further restricted by smoke and haze, Captain Crews braved the intense North Vietnamese fire as he skillfully executed a series of rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to allow the transport to complete the re-supply mission. By his courage, superior airmanship, and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Crews was instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.