(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Arch Ratliff, Jr. (MCSN: 0-89061), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Arch Ratliff, Jr. (MCSN: 0-89061), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.

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 Captain Arch Ratliff, Jr. (MCSN: 0-89061), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-363), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 12 October 1967, Captain Ratliff launched as Flight Leader of seven UH-34 transport helicopters assigned the mission of retracting Marines from two positions approximately 1,000 meters apart in an area northwest of An Hoa in Quang Nam Province. Although only light sniper fire had been reported, Captain Ratliff’s flight suddenly came under intense enemy small arms fire and mortar attack upon landing in the first zone. Displaying exceptional courage and composure, he steadfastly remained on the ground until each helicopter had its maximum number of troops aboard before he expeditiously departed the area and debarked the Marines at Hill 55. He then resolutely led his flight on two more trips into the hazardous area where his bold efforts resulted in the extraction of the entire 113-man force. Unhesitatingly, he then proceeded to the second landing zone to retract forty-six Marines who had reported they were receiving no hostile fire. As the flight began its approach for a landing, the ground unit suddenly came under heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire and mortar attack and were temporarily pinned down. Exhibiting outstanding leadership, Captain Ratliff aborted the landing and, while orbiting the area, directed supporting gunships to attack the enemy positions. Receiving a call for emergency ammunition re-supply from the heavily engaged Marines, he quickly evaluated the situation of approaching darkness and the urgent re-supply request and decided to extract the besieged Marines. Directing the gunships to fly alongside the seven helicopters, he skillfully and daringly led his flight to a safe landing in the zone. Completely disregarding his own safety, he calmly remained in position exposed to the intense Viet Cong fire which struck his aircraft while a maximum load of troops were embarked before he skillfully maneuvered his heavily laden helicopter out of the perilous area. Due largely to his prompt and decisive actions, he was undoubtedly instrumental in saving many Marines from injury or possible death. Captain Ratliff’s superior airmanship, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk 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 Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Arch Ratliff, Jr. (MCSN: 0-89061), 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. From 28 January to 23 March 1971, Captain Ratliff participated in Operation LAM SON 719 as Aircraft Commander of an AH-1G Cobra helicopter and launched on thirty-one combat missions involving thirteen point two flight hours to provide armed gunship support for CH-53 transport helicopters resupplying Army of the Republic of Vietnam fire support bases which were under heavy attack from North Vietnamese Army forces deep in enemy-controlled territory. Undaunted by constant exposure to intense hostile anti-aircraft fire as he approached each of the beleaguered positions, he ably established and maintained communications with the supported units, passed on significant information to the transport pilots, alertly located enemy firing positions, boldly maneuvered his aircraft on repeated rocket and strafing runs, and delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that the transports were able to deliver their cargo safely to the drop zones. While Leader of a flight of four Cobras during the emergency mission of extracting artillery pieces and the medical evacuees from Fire Support Base HOTEL II on 26 February, at a time when the base had been surrounded for three days and the extremely heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire had downed two friendly aircraft, Captain Ratliff completely disregarded his own safety as he skillfully maneuvered his gunship along a narrow approach corridor to lead the transport aircraft toward the drop zone and then fearlessly executed low altitude passes over the zone to draw the hostile fire away from the transports. When one of the transports was damaged by enemy mortar fire, he boldly positioned his aircraft between the enemy fire and the crippled transport as he covered its departure from the dangerous area. Captain Ratliff’s courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous missions and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.