WASHINGTON, DC. – (CLARKSVILLENOW.COM) President Barack Obama will present the Medal of Honor to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Charles Kettles with the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry during the Vietnam War.
Kettles will be recognized for his actions during combat operations near Duc Pho, Vietnam, in May 1967, when he led a platoon of UH-1Ds (Huey) helicopters to provide support to the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, during an ambush by a battalion-sized enemy force.
Kettles was in the 176th Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Task Force Oregon and during the battle lead several trips to the hot landing zone and evacuating the wounded, before returning – without additional aerial support – to rescue a squad-sized element of stranded soldiers pinned down by enemy fire.
He is credited with saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his own crew members.
The Medal of Honor ceremony will be held at 11:05 am EDT at The White House.