Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 38 ARRS DET 13
For date 700426
38 ARRS DET 13 was a US Air Force unit
Primary service involved, US Air Force
Binh Dinh Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Phu Cat AFB
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "2 NCOs Receive Airman's Medal For Risky Rescue ."
Phu Cat AB (Special) - An Air Force aeromedical specialist and a helicopter flight engineer have been awarded the Airman's Medal for risking their lives last December to retrieve a seriously wounded security policeman from a deadly minefield near this base.
Receiving the Air Force's highest noncombatant award for heroism were S. Sgts. Edward E. Scott of Wells, Tex., of the 37th U.S. Air Force Dispensary, and Kenneth C. Meyer of Fairmont, Minn., a HH43 Pedro helicopter flight engineer with Det. 13, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Sq. They were on 'alert' status when the buzzer sounded. "We grabbed a litter and ran for the aircraft," said Meyer. "Moments later we were heading toward Hill 151 and touched down within five minutes." Hill 151 is the center peak in a series of ridges on the northeast side of Phu Cat AB. Men of the 37th Security Police Sq. man the outpost, spending a week at a time at the location. The only access to the hilltop post is by helicopter, or a road cut to the base of the hill and a 45-minute walk to the top. On the side of Hill 151, two security policemen on duty had detected noises the previous night, and had gone out at daybreak to investigate. Because of the large area, the two separated to cover the area. Hearing an explosion, one of the men rushed back to check on the other and found him lying in the center of a minefield about three feet from a hole in the ground caused by a blast. Noting the man was seriously injured, he called security police operations, and an HH43 from Det. 13 was dispatched to the scene. The wounded man was about 300 yards away from the Pedro's landing site. The rough terrain and high winds around the outpost prevented the helicopter from getting any closer. "The victim was lying in the minefield, and the helicopter would have to hover at a 45 to 60-degree angle to make the pick-up," said Meyer. "Since the victim was lying in the minefield, there was also the danger of the Pedro's rotor downdraft detonating additional explosives." The two sergeants walked to within 30 yards of the wounded man. Meyer continued, "We cautiously worked our way to the victim and did our best to stop the bleeding." Fifteen minutes had elapsed since the team was alerted. "We got the man back to the helicopter as quickly as possible," Scott said. LT. Col. Ernest A. Headberg, pilot on the mission, decided to take the man to the Army Evacuation Hospital at Qui Nhon. "We made the man as secure as possible, and during the trip I administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massages," Scott said. The citation accompanying the Airman's Medal read in part, "With complete disregard for their own safety, they persevered in their efforts until the injured man was recovered. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed ... reflect credit on themselves and the United States Air Force."
Comments: SSG Scott, Edward E.; 37th USAF Dispensary; ;
SSG Meyer, Kenneth C.; HH43 flight engineer; ;
LTC Headberg, Ernest A.; Det 13 pilot; ;
The source for this information was 7004pss.avn supplied by Les Hines 02/02/2000
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
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Last updated
02/03/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023