Army Reporter information
for B/7/17 CAV

For date 680418


B/7/17 CAV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Pleiku Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Camp Enari
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Pilot honored for ground action" that appeared in the 5 Oct 1968 issue. A helicopter pilot from B/7/17th Air Cav has received the DSC. CPT Denny R. Vaughn was presented the nation's second highest award by GEN Creighton W. Abrams during ceremonies here. Vaughn distinguished himself on April 18, 1968, while participating in an air rescue mission near Kontum. An OH-6 Cayuse was hit by AA fire and crashed in the midst of an NVA battalion while on a reconnaissance mission. Receiving word of the crash, Vaughn volunteered to lead a twenty-man force into the area in an attempt to rescue the downed flyers. As the lead aircraft approached the LZ it came under heavy enemy fire and the flight commander decided to abort the mission. However, Vaughn convinced the commander to hover his aircraft at twenty feet while he and his men jumped to the ground. Although he suffered an injured ankle during the jump, he quickly deployed his troops and began moving toward the crash scene. After covering only a short distance, the rescue team came under heavy automatic weapons fire. Vaughn called in and adjusted airstrikes around his position. Moments later their position was attacked by the NVA soldiers. He continually exposed himself to the enemy's gunfire to direct his troop's defense. As the attack was driven back, another series of airstrikes were called in, allowing the rescuers and the crew of the downed aircraft to return to the LZ for pick-up. In addition to this award Vaughn has received the DFC, a PH, and ACM and an AM for valor. A photo of CPT Denny R. Vaughn was also printed with this article.
Comments: CPT Vaughn, Denny R.; B/7/17 Cav pilot; ;
Hotlinks: http://www.war-records.com/_private/pictures/pictures/medals.jpg

The source for this information was 6810AR.AVN supplied by Les Hines


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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023