After Nearly 50 Years, Vietnam War Hero Receives The Medal Of Honor

On May 15, 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was credited with saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his helicopter crew members.

On May 15, 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was credited with saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his helicopter crew members. As a helicopter pilot, Lt. Colonel Kettles repeatedly flew his chopper into a hostile battle zone under heavy fire in order to evacuate the wounded soldiers. Nearly 50 years later, Lt. Colonel Kettles is being honored with the nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

As if his heroic actions weren’t enough, Lt. Colonel Kettles displayed the true humility and attitude in receiving the award that his generation is so known for. “I didn’t do it by myself,” he said. “There were some 74 pilots and crew members involved in this whole mission that day … They did their job, above and beyond. So the Medal is not mine. It’s theirs.”

See the award reception and hear more about his remarkable story below, and join us in thanking Lt. Colonel Kettles and all the other brave heroes who serve in our military.

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