The Honorable Sam Johnson
U.S. House of Representatives
1030 Longworth Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Sir:

This letter is in support of a request to you and your able military staffers from Warren R. Smith, dated January 17, 2000 relative to correcting an award for valor during the Viet Nam conflict of your constituent, John W. “Jack” Woodmansee, Lieutenant General, USA (Retired) of Plano, Texas.  A copy of Mr. Smith’s letter is enclosed.

I was not present on the day of April 27, 1964 but I have researched the incident with those who were involved with the mission that inserted some 600 troops of the Army of South Vietnam into an area known as Do Xa.  I did fly CH-46D transport helicopters for the Marine Corps during 1969 and 1970, and absolutely know the value of excellent gun ship support into and out of hostile landing zones.  My research of this incident was in conjunction with developing a history of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364) from their entry into Southeast Asia early in 1964 until departing early 1971.  Throughout this period of eight years there appears to have been only one blatant error in recognizing acts of valor on behalf of the Marines of HMM-364 or those who supported their helicopter operations in a hostile environment.  Captain John William Woodmansee’s actions on this day were not recognized appropriately.

In collecting information for this history, I have communicated with numerous Marines who were present at Do Xa.  They all, without exception, praise Captain Woodmansee's extraordinary actions in leading “Dragon Flight”, a flight of five Army UH-1B gun ships, and the superior support they rendered on 27 April 1964.  All recall that Lieutenant Colonel John LaVoy, Commanding Officer of HMM-364, had submitted through the Marine Corps chain of command, a recommendation that Captain Woodmansee be awarded the Navy Cross for his gallant, and life threatening actions of that day.

Recent communications with Lieutenant General Woodmansee indicate that neither the Naval Service nor the Marine Corps acted upon that recommendation.  The U.S. Army however did award him an Air Medal w/V device for his actions.  In retrospect it appears the Commandant of the Marine Corps was opposed, at that time, to arming Marine helicopters as gun ships, preferring instead to use tactical fighters.  The Commandant had been attempting, unsuccessfully, to get USMC fighters into Vietnam to support USMC helicopter operations.  Additionally, it is believed that no Marine, to date, had been awarded the Navy Cross for valor in Vietnam.  This leads me to the conclusion that it simply was inappropriate for the first Navy Cross awarded to go to an Army aviator flying gun ships.  General Woodmansee has stated, "I was aware, and took great personal pride in the fact, that the awards board of HMM-364 had recommended me for the Navy Cross.  I knew they were sincere, and that meant a great deal to me."

In light of the facts that Marine air crews were awarded one Silver Star (Maj. John Braddon), 16 Distinguished Flying Crosses, principally to the other aircraft commanders, and one awarded to Maj. Braddon’s copilot 1stLt. Edward P. Moore.  Further, these were the first Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded to Marines in Vietnam. The other copilots, approximately 15, received Single Mission Air Medals.  The balance of the aircrews who were gunners and crew chiefs received approximately 36 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.  The awards listed above were reviewed and approved by higher headquarters and, earned at Do Xa on 27 April 1964.

I too request that your staff confer with their military counterparts to review these facts and award John William Woodmansee the appropriate recognition he deserves for leading “Dragon Flight” which consisted of 5 UH-1B gun ships that day.  The Air Medal he received is not appropriate.

Within the past two days I have revised the section of our web site dealing with the Do Xa  troop insert. The revisions, save some misspelled word corrections, only reflect the addition of photographs and other relevant information that was accessible from the primary narrative but not displayed on Mr. Smith’s copy.  I believe the information provided herein will better facilitate any staffing function you may desire to pursue.

Their follows information on some of those who were known to be present, and who can provide additional information to your staff relative to our request that John W. Woodmansee’s heroic actions of 27 April 1964 be recognized appropriately.
 

Your consideration of this matter will be greatly appreciated by the undersigned and the former Marines of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364) who were provided with superb and fearless helicopter gun ship support  at Do Xa on 27 April 1964.

Sincerely Yours,

Franklin A. Gulledge, Jr.
Major          USMC(Ret)