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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Chief Warrant Robert Frank Patton (MCSN: WO-64572), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), in support of the First Corps, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, on 5 June 1964. Serving as a helicopter aircraft commander, and as flight leader, Warrant Officer Patton flew his ammunition loaded aircraft into an extremely restricted landing zone on a hilltop outpost that was under heavy and continuing enemy attack to deliver desperately needed supplies. Operating under low ceiling and in the face of approaching darkness the mission was safely completed, though threatened throughout by heavy enemy automatic weapons fire. Departing the outpost area one of the two U.S. Army armed escort helicopters received serious damage from enemy gunfire and was forced to land. Without hesitation, Warrant Officer Patton returned to the scene of the downed aircraft, landed in total darkness, and while receiving heavy enemy fire from both sides, rescued the American airmen and took off to safety. His decision to risk his own life to brave the heavy enemy fire to deliver the ammunition and subsequently to rescue his countrymen from certain capture or death reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron 12

    Action Date:

    December 15 & 16, 1955

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Robert Frank Patton (MCSN: WO-64572), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Helicopter Pilot, attached to Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron TWELVE in Korea on 15 and 16 December 1955. When a sudden change in weather conditions caused the grounding of a Korean crane barge on a reef off Chimoggt Gap on the southeastern coast of Korea, First Lieutenant Patton voluntarily carried out two rescue flights in the face of darkness and worsening weather and sea conditions, returning two United States Marines and two Korean Nationals to the safety of the beach before postponing further flights because of the extreme hazards. The following morning, despite high and turbulent winds which rendered surface rescue impossible, and further increased the danger to helicopter operations, he conducted eight flights to the floundering barge and succeeded in effecting the rescue of all the remaining twenty-two Koreans. By his excellent airmanship and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, First Lieutenant Patton upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.