The Distinguished Flying Cross


 

               The  President  of the  United  States  takes  pleasure  in presenting the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (Gold Star in lieu of the Second Award) to

MAJOR JOHN ALFRED CHANCEY

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

               CITATION:

                               "For heroism and extraordinary achievement  in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with  Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364,  Marine Aircraft  Group  Thirty-Six,  First  Marine  Aircraft  Wing   in  connection   with operations  against  the enemy in  the  Republic of Vietnam.   On 8 April 1968*, Major Chancey  launched as Division Leader of a flight of four CH-46 transport helicopters  assigned  to resupply a  Marine outpost on  Hill 881  South  near the Khe Sanh  Combat  Base.   Due  to poor  visibility  resulting  from  deteriorating weather   conditions,  he   maneuvered  his   aircraft  with   its  external  load   of approximately  two tons above the  cloud cover and orbited  the drop area  until fixed  wing  aircraft  had completed  their air strikes.  Undaunted  by  the  heavy volume of  hostile mortar,  rocket and automatic  weapons fire as he  neared the landing zone,  he resolutely continued his approach and  led his division into the hazardous  area  to successfully  deliver  the  vital  supplies.  After  expeditiously departing  the  area and rendezvousing  with the  flight  over  Khe  Sanh,  Major Chancey  was diverted  to an emergency medical  evacuation mission  at Hill 689 southwest of the combat base.  While preparing to embark the last of the Marine casualties,  his CH-46 came under a  heavy enemy  mortar attack.   Ignoring  the hostile rounds  impacting near  his aircraft,  Major Chancey steadfastly  held his helicopter on  the ground until the last casualty  was aboard.   Despite sustaining severe damage to his  CH-46 from a mortar round  that impacted within five feet of his aircraft, wounding two members of his crew, he displayed exceptional skill in  maneuvering  the  helicopter out of the  fire-swept area.   Unable  to maintain effective control of the CH-46 after flying a short distance,  he skillfully executed a  single engine  landing on a ridge.  Coordinating  the orderly  evacuation of all personnel from  the helicopter,  he assisted  in carrying the  casualties to another aircraft which had  landed nearby.  Major Chancey's  courage,  superior airman- ship  and selfless  devotion  to duty  in the  face of  great  personal  danger  were instrumental in saving the lives of  several Marines and were in keeping with  the highest traditions of  the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

FOR THE PRESIDENT,

/s/ H. W. Buse, Jr.

H. W. BUSE, JR.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC

* The "official" citation was dated incorrectly as 9 March 1968.  Review of After Action
Reprots and Major Chancey's Flight Log Book confirm the date to be 8 April 1968.

After Action Report

Maj. John A. Chancey's History Index

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