The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant [then Warrant Officer] Steven D. Vermillion, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 5 September 1969 while serving as Aircraft Commander of a medical evacuation helicopter operating in the Republic of Vietnam. An urgent evacuation request was received from Company B, 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry which was engaged in action with enemy forces in Long Khanh Province and had suffered heavy casualties. Upon arriving at the location of Company B, it was determined that the entrance into the landing zone was very small and that a vertical descent was necessary. Although informed that enemy forces were in the area, Lieutenant Vermillion, without regard for his personal safety, directed the aircraft into the landing zone. The aircraft was on the ground for approximately 5 minutes and loaded seven wounded soldiers in the face of known enemy activity in the immediate area. Upon departure from the landing zone the aircraft began to receive intense enemy ground fire from all directions until the aircraft was safely out of the range of the enemy gunfire. During this intense enemy fire the aircraft sustained to hits but he was able to complete his mission thereby saving the lives of the wounded and the crewmembers of the helicopter. First Lieutenant Vermillion’s gallantry in action and professionalism was a vital factor in the successful completion of the mission and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant [then Warrant Officer]Action Date:
September 5, 1969
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 14 (March 22, 1972) -
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW-2)Action Date:
October 28, 1969
Citation Courtesy of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society – www.dfcsociety.orgThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW-2) Steven D. Vermillion, United States Army, for heroism, while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, on 28 October 1969, in the Republic of Vietnam. Chief Warrant Officer Vermillion distinguished himself while commanding a helicopter ambulance during a rescue mission west of Tan Tru. He and his crew had been requested to evacuate four Vietnamese children wounded in a firefight between enemy elements and a friendly ranger team. When Warrant Officer Vermilion arrived over the conflict area, the ranger team feared an imminent rocket attack and asked that he coordinate helicopter gunships in placing suppressive fire on suspected enemy positions until the wounded children were evacuated. Having directed the gunships in repeated strafing runs on the enemy, Warrant Officer Vermillion then flew his rescue aircraft into the friendly unit’s position without the use of landing lights and began the loading of the wounded. Almost immediately after landing, the air ambulance came under intense fire from the enemy force. Warrant Officer Vermillion, nevertheless, calmly maintained his aircraft on the ground until all the children were boarded and then lifted off amid continuing hostile fire. Once the wounded had been delivered to medical facilities and his aircraft had been refueled, Warrant Officer Vermillion flew back to the conflict area and assisted in extracting the besieged ranger team Chief Warrant Officer Vermillion’s outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.