Frankly Speaking- The Midnight Ride of Lt. Clyde
In 1976 I was teaching the avionics and antisubmarine warfare systems on the SH2-F LAMPS helicopter. One of the classes I taught was a pilot’s familiarization for pilots coming to the LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi Purpose System) community. I was surprised when Clyde arrived for the familiarization class. Everyone with experience in the H2 helicopter or combat search and rescue knew who Clyde was and what he had done. Personally, I was awed by the fact that I was teaching a class that was being attended by an individual who I knew needed no introduction to the aircraft or its capabilities.
Clyde was actually Lieutenant Commander Clyde Lassen. He was rather easily recognized if you knew what you were looking for. The keys to recognizing him were that first he was a naval aviator. He wore a set of navy aviator wings. Now that did not distinguish him. After all how many pilots did the Navy have? But as you looked at him the top left ribbon adorning his chest was a baby blue service ribbon that had 5 white stars on it. Clyde Lassen was the only person in the U.S. Navy that had both those features on his uniform.
In my own mind it was hard to realize that I had Clyde Lassen in my classroom, teaching him the capabilities and systems of the H-2 helicopter; when eight years earlier he had flown an H-2 helicopter on a successful rescue mission earning the Congressional Medal of Honor. His Medal of Honor was the only such medal awarded to a Naval Aviator in the Vietnam War.
Rather than risk embellishing this tale I am simply going to attach the text of the citation that accompanied the Medal of Honor.
The President of the United Statesin the name of The Congresstakes pleasure in presenting theMedal of Honorto
LASSEN, CLYDE EVERETT
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Helicopter Support Squadron 7, Detachment 104, embarked in U.S.S. Preble (DLG-15). Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1968. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 14 March 1942, Fort Myers, Fla. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (j.g.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29) .
Clyde was actually Lieutenant Commander Clyde Lassen. He was rather easily recognized if you knew what you were looking for. The keys to recognizing him were that first he was a naval aviator. He wore a set of navy aviator wings. Now that did not distinguish him. After all how many pilots did the Navy have? But as you looked at him the top left ribbon adorning his chest was a baby blue service ribbon that had 5 white stars on it. Clyde Lassen was the only person in the U.S. Navy that had both those features on his uniform.
In my own mind it was hard to realize that I had Clyde Lassen in my classroom, teaching him the capabilities and systems of the H-2 helicopter; when eight years earlier he had flown an H-2 helicopter on a successful rescue mission earning the Congressional Medal of Honor. His Medal of Honor was the only such medal awarded to a Naval Aviator in the Vietnam War.
Rather than risk embellishing this tale I am simply going to attach the text of the citation that accompanied the Medal of Honor.
The President of the United Statesin the name of The Congresstakes pleasure in presenting theMedal of Honorto
LASSEN, CLYDE EVERETT
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Helicopter Support Squadron 7, Detachment 104, embarked in U.S.S. Preble (DLG-15). Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1968. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 14 March 1942, Fort Myers, Fla. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (j.g.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29) .
posted by Frank at 3:32 PM
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