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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMM-363)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMM-363)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
October 22, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Arch Ratliff, Jr. (MCSN: 0-89061), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE (HMM-363), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 22 October 1967, Captain Ratliff launched as Division Leader of a flight of four UH-34 transport helicopters assigned to extract an eight man Marine reconnaissance team which was surrounded by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force four miles south of Dong Ha. Arriving over the designated area, the extraction helicopters orbited overhead until the armed helicopters and AC-47 aircraft completed their fire suppression runs against the enemy force. Leading the first section of aircraft in an approach to the landing zone, Captain Ratliff immediately came under intense hostile automatic weapons fire and lost sight of the single strobe light that marked the site. Disregarding the enemy fire, he unhesitatingly continued his approach and, when he regained visual contact with the strobe light, skillfully landed his aircraft in the fire-swept zone. When his wingman was forced to abort his landing attempt, due to the heavy volume of enemy fire, Captain Ratliff realized that his helicopter would be unable to extract the eight men and that to embark half of the reconnaissance team leaving only four Marines in the zone would increase the possibility of the remainder of the team being overrun by the large enemy force. After embarking one Marine, Captain Ratliff lifted out of the zone and returned to Dong Ha while fixed-wing aircraft attacked the North Vietnamese Army force. Subsequently returning to the beleaguered unit’s location, he resolutely led his division onto another approach heading into the zone, with the four aircraft in a close trail formation, the two lead helicopters with their external lights turned out and the remaining aircraft with their lights turned on. During the approach to the landing zone, he again came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly continued his approach. At 200 foot altitude, the second section aborted the landing, as ordered by Captain Ratliff, and diverted the enemy’s attention and a major portion of the ground fire, enabling the first section to continue into the landing site. Expeditiously embarking three of the Marines while his wingman embarked the remaining four, Captain Ratliff lifted out of the zone and returned safely to Dong Ha. His exemplary airmanship and sincere concern for the welfare of his comrades were an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the hazardous mission. By his courage, exceptional aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Captain Ratliff upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMM-363)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(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.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMM-363)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Arch Ratliff, Jr. (MCSN: 0-89061), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 367 (HML-367)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
January 28 – March 23, 1971
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.