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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 (Medical Service Corps) Jerome V. Foust (ASN: 0-2326127), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Foust distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving with the 54th Medical Detachment, 74th Medical Battalion, 67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, on 29 September 1967 while serving as aircraft commander of an ambulance helicopter supporting ground operations near Tam Ky. Upon receiving an urgent request to rescue several seriously wounded soldiers from a hotly contested area, he immediately flew to the site. He made a hazardous vertical descent into the confined landing zone under intense hostile fire. His gunner was wounded and his ship received severe damage as the Viet Cong increased the volume of their barrage, but he landed and remained on the ground until the wounded men were placed aboard. The hydraulic mechanism of the aircraft’s controls was badly damaged by the enemy fusillade. Lieutenant Foust then made an extremely risky effort to take off while he manually manipulated the controls and attempted to direct the flight. Skillfully nursing the crippled ship, he flew out of the landing zone as enemy bullets continued to rake the helicopter. Calling upon all of his skill and ability, he flew the ship to safety. With the aircraft rendered useless b the enemy fire, he quickly transferred to another helicopter and continued to support the ground operations. First Lieutenant Foust’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Medical Service Corps)

    Batallion:

    74th Medical Battalion

    Regiment:

    67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade

    Action Date:

    October 2, 1967
    Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3858 (August 7, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Medical Service Corps) Jerome V. Foust (ASN: 0-2326127), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Foust distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 October 1967 as co-pilot of an ambulance helicopter on a medical evacuation mission near Tam Ky. He received word that an American infantry unit had come under a vicious attack from an unknown-sized North Vietnamese Army force and had suffered heavy casualties. Despite severe weather conditions, he unhesitatingly prepared his aircraft and crew for the rescue mission. During the flight, he maintained the ship’s instrument course. Due to thick fog, he and the pilot experienced temporary episodes of blindness and disrupted fields of vision which necessitated a continuous exchange of the helicopters controls between them as it descended into landing zones through heavy winds. On the second extraction, the helicopter came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire. With Lieutenant Foust’s assistance, the aircraft commander was able to successfully evade the barrage and fly the casualties to the hospital for treatment. First Lieutenant Foust’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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Medical Service Corps)

    Batallion:

    74th Medical Battalion

    Regiment:

    67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade

    Action Date:

    October 28, 1967
    Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1207 (March 19, 1968)

    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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Medical Service Corps) Jerome V. Foust (ASN: 0-2326127), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Foust distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving with the 54th Medical Detachment, 74th Medical Battalion, 67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, on 28 October 1967 as Aircraft Commander of an ambulance helicopter on a medical evacuation mission near Tam Ky. An airborne infantry unit was engaged in a firefight with a Viet Cong force, and the first helicopter attempting to reach eight of its seriously wounded paratroopers had been driven off by heavy enemy ground fire. Lieutenant Foust skillfully touched the aircraft down near the wounded paratroopers. As enemy fire directed on the exposed helicopter increased in intensity, the ground commander advised him to depart the bullet-swept landing zone. Bravely ignoring the warning, Lieutenant Foust kept his craft on the ground until all casualties were safely aboard. Informed that another soldier had been wounded while he was beginning his take off, he quickly landed to pick up the additional casualty. He then departed the battlefield and delivered the patients to the hospital. First Lieutenant Foust’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.