The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Maurice J. Quinlan (MCSN: 0-100607), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action 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. Late on the night of 2 January 1969, First Lieutenant Quinlan launched as Aircraft Commander aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a seriously wounded Marine from a unit heavily engaged with a hostile force in Quang Nam Province. Undaunted by adverse weather and total darkness which increased the difficulty of identifying the landing zone, located in hazardous terrain, he completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly maneuvered his aircraft, with all lights extinguished, in an approach to the landing zone with only the dim light of a flashlight on the ground to guide him. Aborting his landing attempt when the increased intensity of enemy fire endangered his CH-46, he then coordinated his second approach with the suppressive fire of supporting gunships, but was again forced to wave off when he encountered an extremely heavy volume of hostile machine gun and automatic weapons fire which struck his aircraft. Rapidly assessing the damage and realizing the urgency of extracting the injured Marine whose condition was deteriorating, First Lieutenant Quinlan resolutely decided to begin a third landing attempt in the fire-swept area. Skillfully coordinating his approach with the fire of his escorting gunships, and using the tracer rounds of the ground unit to mark the landing zone, he fearlessly maneuvered to a landing. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near his helicopter, he boldly remained in his dangerously exposed position until the wounded man was embarked and then departed the hazardous area. By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Quinlan was instrumental in saving the life of a Marine and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and 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 Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
January 2, 1969
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364)Regiment:
Marine Aircraft Group 36Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
November 20, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Maurice J. Quinlan (MCSN: 0-100607), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving 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 the morning of 20 November 1968, during Operation Meade River, First Lieutenant Quinlan launched as the Copilot aboard the second aircraft in a flight of fourteen CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to helilift the assault elements of a Marine battalion into an enemy controlled area southwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he diligently monitored his instruments and controls as he provided his pilot with continuous flow of vital information and directed the delivery of suppressive machine gun fire, enabling his aircraft to land and disembark its assault unit. Ignoring the heavy volume of hostile fire, he assisted his aircraft commander in returning to An Hoa where a second increment of Marines was embarked. Undaunted by the extremely intense enemy mortar, small arms, and automatic weapons fire and resolutely determined to continue the mission of expediting the landing of reinforcements for the heavily engaged ground units which were condoning a large hostile force, First Lieutenant Quinlan skillfully aided his aircraft commander in maneuvering his CH-46 into the fire-swept landing zone to disembark the second assault team. When his pilot was seriously wounded during his third insertion approach to the battle area, First Lieutenant Quinlan, despite fragment wounds and plexiglass splinters which injured his eye and blurred his vision, immediately took control of the battle damaged helicopter, initiated a spiraling climb out of the dangerous area, and skillfully maneuvered his crippled CH-46 to a safe landing at An Hoa. First Lieutenant Quinlan’s 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.