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 Major John Alfred Chancey, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 8 April 1968, Major Chancey launched as Division Leader of a flight of four CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to re-supply a Marine outpost on Hill 881 South near the Khe Sanh Combat Base. Due to poor visibility resulting from deteriorating weather conditions, he maneuvered his aircraft with its external load of approximately two tons above the cloud cover and orbited the drop area until fixed wing aircraft had completed their air strikes. Undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire as he neared the landing zone, he resolutely continued his approach and led his division into the hazardous area to successfully deliver the vital supplies. After expeditiously departing the area and rendezvousing with the flight over Khe Sanh, Major Chancey was diverted to an emergency medical evacuation mission at Hill 689 southwest of the combat base. While preparing to embark the last of the Marine casualties, his CH-46 came under a heavy enemy mortar attack. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting near his aircraft, Major Chancey steadfastly held his helicopter on the ground until the last casualty was aboard. Despite sustaining severe damage to his CH-46 from a mortar round that impacted within five feet of his aircraft, wounding two members of his crew, he displayed exceptional skill in maneuvering the helicopter out of the fire-swept area. Unable to maintain effective control of the CH-46 after flying a short distance, he skillfully executed a single engine landing on a ridge. Coordinating the orderly evacuation of all personnel from the helicopter, he assisted in carrying the casualties to another aircraft which had landed nearby. Major Chancey’s courage, superior airmanship and selfless devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines and 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 the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John Alfred Chancey, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 28 March 1968, Major Chancey launched as Aircraft Commander of the third aircraft in a flight of ten CH-46 helicopters assigned to re-supply the Marine outpost on Hill 881 near Khe Sanh. When he learned that one of the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in enemy controlled terrain due to battle damage, Major Chancey volunteered to extract the downed crew which was heavily engaged with North Vietnamese soldiers. In an attempt to draw hostile fire from the Marines, he landed 100 meters from the damaged aircraft and directed machine gun fire against the enemy positions. Ignoring the heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire, he lifted from the area and maneuvered his helicopter to within twenty-five meters of the beleaguered crew. Despite the increased intensity of enemy fire that damaged his aircraft and wounded his aerial gunner, he steadfastly held his position on the ground until he was aware that he continuing heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire would prevent the downed crew from embarking. Lifting out of the hazardous zone, he orbited the area and directed armed helicopter attacks against the enemy emplacements. Realizing the urgency of extracting the Marines before their position was overrun, he courageously commenced a third approach into the fire-swept zone and landed close to the disabled aircraft, fearlessly remaining on the ground until the crew embarked. He then expeditiously departed the area for the medical facility at Dong Ha. Major Chancey’s courage, resolute determination and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.