More detail on this person: Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He received this award from President Barak Obama at the White House July 18, 2016 for his actions on May 15, 1967 as the pilot of a UH-1D Huey helicopter during combat operations near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. He first entered the military in 1951 and retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1978. He lived in Ypsilanti, Michigan and passed away at the age of 89. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Major Charles S. Kettles distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Flight Commander, 176th Aviation Company (Airmobile) (Light), 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. On 15 May 1967, Major Kettles, upon learning that an airborne infantry unit had suffered casualties during an intense firefight with the enemy, immediately volunteered to lead a flight of six UH-1D helicopters to carry reinforcements to the embattled force and to evacuate wounded personnel. Enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire raked the landing zone, inflicting heavy damage to the helicopters; however, Major Kettles refused to depart until all helicopters were loaded to capacity. He then returned to the battlefield, with full knowledge of the intense enemy fire awaiting his arrival, to bring more reinforcements, landing in the midst of enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire that seriously wounded his gunner and severely damaged his aircraft. Upon departing, Major Kettles was advised by another helicopter crew that he had fuel streaming out of his aircraft. Despite the risk posed by the leaking fuel, he nursed the damaged aircraft back to base. Later that day, the Infantry Battalion Commander requested immediate, emergency extraction of the remaining 40 troops, including four members of Major Kettles' unit who were stranded when their helicopter was destroyed by enemy fire. With only one flyable UH-1 helicopter remaining, Major Kettles volunteered to return to the deadly landing zone for a third time, leading a flight of six evacuation helicopters, five of which were from the 161st Aviation Company. During the extraction, Major Kettles was informed by the last helicopter that all personnel were onboard, and departed the landing zone accordingly. Army gunships supporting the evacuation also departed the area. Once airborne, Major Kettles was advised that eight troops had been unable to reach the evacuation helicopters due to the intense enemy fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Kettles passed the lead to another helicopter and returned to the landing zone to rescue the remaining troops. Without gunship, artillery, or tactical aircraft support, the enemy concentrated all firepower on his lone aircraft, which was immediately damaged by a mortar round that shattered both front windshields and the chin bubble and was further raked by small arms and machine gun fire. Despite the intense enemy fire, Major Kettles maintained control of the aircraft and situation, allowing time for the remaining eight soldiers to board the aircraft. In spite of the severe damage to his helicopter, Major Kettles once more skillfully guided his heavily damaged aircraft to safety. Without his courageous actions and superior flying skills, the last group of soldiers and his crew would never have made it off the battlefield. Major Kettles' selfless acts of repeated valor and determination are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army. LTC Charles S. Kettles passed away peacefully at his home in Ypsilanti, MI on January 21, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Charlie was born on January 9, 1930 in Ypsilanti, MI to Cora and Grant Kettles (a pilot in World War I and II). In 1949, Charlie received his high school diploma from Edison Institute at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. It was there that he honed his love of flying in the school's flight simulator. Following high school he began his higher education at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) where he studied engineering. He later received his Bachelor of Science degree in business management in 1978 from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX and his Master of Science in Industrial Technology from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI in 1979. In 1951, during the Korean War, Charlie was drafted into the United States Army. He completed Officer Candidate School at Ft. Knox, KY and was commissioned on February 28, 1953. He attended Army Aviation School before serving active tours of duty in Japan and Thailand. In 1956, he retired from active duty and established a Ford dealership with his brother, Dick Kettles. With the Army in great need of helicopter pilots, Charlie volunteered for active duty in 1963. He attended helicopter transition training at Ft. Wolters, TX. During a tour of duty in France in 1965, he trained to pilot the famous UH-1D "Huey." In 1966, at Ft. Benning, GA, he was assigned to the 176th Aviation Company and deployed to Viet Nam (Feb-Nov, 1967). During this tour that he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions on 15 May 1967. This was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in July 2016. He served a second tour of Viet Nam from Oct, 1969 - Oct, 1970. He was then stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, TX, serving as the Aviation Team Chief & Readiness Coordinator supporting the Army Reserve and remained in San Antonio until his retirement in 1978. LTC Kettles' awards and decorations include the Medal of Honor in 2016 for his actions in Viet Nam on 15 May 1967, as well as the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, twenty-seven Air Medals and along with various other awards and citations. Following his retirement from the Army, Charlie moved back to Ypsilanti, MI. He was an active member of the Ypsilanti community - he served on the city council, and developed the aviation program at Eastern Michigan University College of Technology. He was active in the local Kiwanis, as well as the Capt. C. Robert Arvin Educational Fund of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2408. Charlie is survived by his loving wife of over 40 years, Catherine "Ann" (Cleary) (Heck) Kettles; his children, Chris Kettles of San Antonio, TX, Margaret (Shashi) Gupta of Reston, VA, Michael (Michele) Kettles of Dallas, TX, Marianne Kettles of Yellow Springs, OH, Carolyn (Les) Kettles of Honolulu, HI, Jeanna Kettles of San Antonio, TX, Catherine (Richard) Nezwek of Rockford, MI, Patrick Heck of Lachine, MI and Maria (Julie Hall) Heck of Saline, MI. He is also survived by his former wife and friend, Ann T. Kettles, brother Joseph (Jean) Kettles of Bruce Mines, ON, grandchildren, Matthew Boryczka, Arjun Gupta, Jack and Sophie Kettles, Patrick Heck, II, Amber Heck, Joseph Seibert, Caitlin Edwards and Maggie Edwards. Charlie was pre-deceased by his parents, his brothers Robert Kettles, Richard Kettles, and James Kettles, and his daughter, Theresa Heck Seibert. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Jean and Becky Kettles, son-in-law, John Seibert and many nieces and nephews, as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 25th from 4pm to 8pm at the Janowiak Funeral Home, 320 N. Washington Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. An additional viewing will occur at the Church on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time mass begins at 10am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Father Tom Helfrich OSFS of St. Rita's Catholic Church, Clarklake, MI will be the Celebrant. Military Honors will follow under the auspices of the Michigan Army National Guard, Honor Guard. LTC Kettles will be interred at Highland Cemetery at a later date. Contributions in his memory can be made online to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 310, http://www.vva310.org or via envelopes provided by the Janowiak Funeral Home, 320 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 01/23/2019
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association