Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    12th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade

    Action Date:

    April 10, 1966

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6055 (October 18, 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Frank H. Mayer (ASN: 0-506344), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as Pilot with the 114th Assault Helicopter Company, 12th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. First Lieutenant Mayer distinguished himself on 10 April 1966, while serving as a member of an armed helicopter platoon in support of a beleaguered Special Forces outpost near Moc Hoa. After obtaining vital ammunition and communications equipment, First Lieutenant Mayer entered the operational area while exposed to intense hostile fire. Although all communications within the outpost were severed and the insurgents were known to have breached part of the outpost defenses, First Lieutenant Mayer, despite receiving several hits to his aircraft, successfully landed in the compound with the vitally needed supplies. When a call for the immediate evacuation of casualties was requested, again braving intense Viet Cong ground fire, First Lieutenant Mayer effected the extraction of the wounded. After delivering his patients to a hospital, he returned to the battle area and, with his platoon, began searching for the now retreating Viet Cong. Shortly after dawn, he received word that an American officer had stepped on a land mine and was critically injured. Immediately, First Lieutenant Mayer flew his aircraft to the location and, with complete disregard for his safety, slowly landed the aircraft in the mine field and extracted the injured officer. Later, while searching the area, First Lieutenant Mayer and his fire team located the main body of the retreating Viet Cong concealed in tall grass. For the next four hours, he and his platoon repeatedly took the insurgents under attack. When one of the armed helicopters was shot down near the hostile lines, wounding the aircraft commander, First Lieutenant Mayer immediately began to render suppressive fire on the Viet Cong as they attempted to close in on the downed crew. This effective fire also enabled a rescue aircraft to land and extract the downed crew. Through his courageous efforts, First Lieutenant Mayer contributed immeasurably to the success of the operation. His extraordinary heroism 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.