Stephen W. Pless
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Stephen W. Pless | |
|---|---|
| September 6, 1939 – July 20, 1969 (aged 29) | |
  Major Stephen W. Pless, USMC |
|
| Place of birth | Newnan, Georgia |
| Place of death | Pensacola, Florida |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1959-1969 |
| Rank | Major (USMC) |
| Unit | VMO-6 |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Flying Cross Silver Star Bronze Star Air Medal Purple Heart |
Stephen Wesley Pless (b. September 6, 1939, Newnan, Georgia – d. July 20, 1969, Pensacola, Florida) was a major in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, during which he earned the Medal of Honor for a daring helicopter rescue mission.
Stephen Pless entered service in Atlanta, Georgia after graduating from Georgia Military Academy in College Park, Georgia in 1957. Although he had already entered the Marine Corps Reserve while still in school, Pless was not commissioned as a Second Lieutenant until September 1959.
Contents |
[edit] Vietnam Service
Pless served as a UH-1 "Huey" helicopter pilot in Vietnam from August 1966 until September 1967.
In addition to earning the Medal of Honor during his tour, Pless was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Silver Star medal, the Bronze Star medal, the Air Medal with seven Silver Stars and two Gold Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with a Combat V, the Purple Heart, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Order of Military Merit, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
During his tour, Pless successfully flew 780 combat missions. At the time that he was promoted to the rank of major, Pless was the youngest Marine officer to hold that rank. Pless was the 18th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor during the course of the Vietnam War, but was the only Marine aviator to do so.
[edit] Life After Vietnam
On January 16, 1969, four days before leaving office, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Stephen W. Pless the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony. Also receiving the Medal of Honor that day was fellow Newnan native Joe M. Jackson, an Air Force pilot who, like Pless, had earned the nation's highest military decoration for a daring air rescue in Vietnam. Legend states that, upon realizing that both Pless and Jackson were from the same small Georgia town, President Johnson quipped "there must be something in the water down in Newnan".
The Department of Defense, recognizing the extreme circumstances of the helicopter rescue, awarded all three of Pless's crewmates decorations. Rupert Fairfield, Leroy Poulson, and John Phelps were each awarded the Navy Cross, the 2nd highest Naval award for valor. The combined crew of four represent the most highly-decorated helicopter crew to fly in the Vietnam War.
After his return from Vietnam, Pless served as a Marine Aviator flight instructor. Stephen Pless was killed in a motorcycle accident in Pensacola, Florida on July 20, 1969, just over six months after receiving the nation's highest award for gallantry in action.
[edit] Posthumously
In recent years, the United States Navy has honored Major Pless by naming a Maritime Prepositioning ship after him. In addition, the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory in Newnan, Georgia honors both of the town's Medal of Honor recipients.
The Huey helicopter which Pless flew has been restored to its condition at the time of the daring rescue, and is now on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Major (then Capt.), U.S. Marine Corps, VMO-6, MAG-36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Place and date: Near Quang Nai, Republic of Vietnam, 19 August 1967. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 6 September 1939, Newnan, Ga.
Citation:
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a helicopter gunship pilot attached to Marine Observation Squadron 6 in action against enemy forces. During an escort mission Maj. Pless monitored an emergency call that 4 American soldiers stranded on a nearby beach were being overwhelmed by a large Viet Cong force. Maj. Pless flew to the scene and found 30 to 50 enemy soldiers in the open. Some of the enemy were bayoneting and beating the downed Americans. Maj. Pless displayed exceptional airmanship as he launched a devastating attack against the enemy force, killing or wounding many of the enemy and driving the remainder back into a treeline. His rocket and machinegun attacks were made at such low levels that the aircraft flew through debris created by explosions from its rockets. Seeing 1 of the wounded soldiers gesture for assistance, he maneuvered his helicopter into a position between the wounded men and the enemy, providing a shield which permitted his crew to retrieve the wounded. During the rescue the enemy directed intense fire at the helicopter and rushed the aircraft again and again, closing to within a few feet before being beaten back. When the wounded men were aboard, Maj. Pless maneuvered the helicopter out to sea. Before it became safely airborne, the overloaded aircraft settled 4 times into the water. Displaying superb airmanship, he finally got the helicopter aloft. Major Pless' extraordinary heroism coupled with his outstanding flying skill prevented the annihilation of the tiny force. His courageous actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
