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 Charles J. Schoener, 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 Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 November 1969, First Lieutenant Schoener launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of two seriously wounded Marines from a unit which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force in an area of the Que Son Mountains approximately twenty miles southwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the landing zone was located on the top of a hill, was surrounded by seventy-five foot tall trees, and that adverse weather conditions of a low ceiling varying from 200 to 300 feet, rain showers, and strong winds which gusted to 25 knots per hour would severely restrict visibility and his area of maneuverability over the rugged mountain terrain. Undeterred, First Lieutenant Schoener boldly maneuvered his aircraft to a landing among the tree stumps and muddy bomb craters, maintained his precarious position until the casualties were placed aboard, and then departed for Landing Zone Baldy. Despite deteriorating weather conditions, he elected to attempt the extraction of two more wounded Marines from another infantry unit operating in the Que Son Mountains. Proceeding to the beleaguered unit, First Lieutenant Schoener was informed that the Marines had been receiving intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from a well entrenched enemy force along a ridge line overlooking the landing zone. Skillfully coordinating his approach with the fire of supporting gunships, he commenced his descent to the landing zone and had reached an altitude of 200 feet when he came under an extremely heavy volume of hostile fire. Undaunted by the intensity of the enemy fire and the difficulty of maneuvering his CH-46 over the hazardous terrain under exceptional adverse weather conditions, First Lieutenant Schoener resolutely continued his approach and skillfully executed a partial hover with his rear wheels touching the ground. With complete disregard for his own safety, he steadfastly remained in his dangerous position until the wounded Marines were embarked and then safely departed the area. First Lieutenant Schoener’s 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 the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Charles J. Schoener, 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 Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 21 September 1969, First Lieutenant Schoener launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the mission of extracting a six-man Marine reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force in a mountainous area approximately twenty miles southwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he was informed that the beleaguered patrol had moved along the side of a ridge to a steep slope in an area strewn with large boulders and surrounded by tall trees, which was deemed to be the most suitable pick-up site in the immediate area. Forced to abort his first approach when his helicopter came under intense hostile fire from both sides of his run-in heading, First Lieutenant Schoener skillfully coordinated his second approach with the rocket and strafing runs of supporting gunships and OV-10 Bronco aircraft and, undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire directed at his CH-46, maneuvered to a seventy-five foot hover above the embattled Marines. With complete disregard for his own safety, he lowered his extraction ladder and remained in his precarious position until each member of the reconnaissance team had attached himself to the ladder. Lifting out of the perilous area with the Marines suspended below his aircraft, he expertly maneuvered his aircraft over the rugged terrain to An Hoa. First Lieutenant Schoener’s 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.

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 Charles J. Schoener, 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 Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 27 October 1969, First Lieutenant Schoener launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a seriously wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldier from a landing zone in mountainous terrain twenty-two miles southwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he was informed by the pilot of an escorting gunship that the heavy overcast and low-lying fog and cloud layers prevented him from determining the precise location of the casualty. After approximately ten minutes, the ground unit reported that the clouds were dissipating enough for them to see the gunships and that they would ignite an illumination grenade to mark the landing zone. Undeterred by severely restricted visibility and the accompanying difficulties encountered as he maneuvered his aircraft over the rugged terrain, First Lieutenant Schoener resolutely elected to immediately attempt a landing when he saw that the clouds were once again beginning to close in on the friendly position. As he turned on his final approach into the zone, his aircraft came under intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire from enemy positions on the mountainside and valley floor, several rounds of which struck his CH-46. Undaunted, First Lieutenant Schoener boldly continued his approach, skillfully maneuvered to a landing, and quickly embarked the wounded soldier. Expertly utilizing his instruments, he then lifted through a heavy cloud layer and departed for the medical facility at DaNang. First Lieutenant Shoener’s 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.