 Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Major Bruce P. Crandall distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as a Flight Commander in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). On 14 November 1965, his flight of sixteen helicopters was lifting troops for a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam, to Landing Zone X-Ray in the la Drang
Valley.
On the fourth troop lift, the airlift began to take enemy
fire, and by the time the aircraft had refueled and returned for the
next troop lift, the enemy had Landing Zone X-Ray targeted. As Major
Crandall and the first eight helicopters landed to discharge troops
on his fifth troop lift, his unarmed helicopter came under such
intense enemy fire that the ground commander ordered the second
flight of eight aircraft to abort their mission.
As Major Crandall flew back to Plei Me, his base of operations, he determined that the ground commander of the besieged infantry
battalion
desperately needed more ammunition. Major Crandall then
decided to adjust his base of operations to Artillery
Firebase Falcon in order to shorten the flight distance to
deliver ammunition and evacuate wounded soldiers. While
medical evacuation was not his mission, he immediately
sought volunteers and with complete disregard for his own
personal safety, led the two aircraft to Landing Zone X-Ray.
Despite the fact that the landing zone was still under
relentless enemy fire, Major Crandall landed and proceeded
to supervise the loading of seriously wounded soldiers
aboard his aircraft. Major Crandall's voluntary decision to
land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other
pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own
aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they
would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be
promptly evacuated. This greatly enhanced morale and the
will to fight at a critical time.
After his first medical
evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of
the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening.
That day he completed a total of 22 flights, most under
intense enemy fire, retiring from the battlefield only after
all possible service had been rendered to the Infantry
battalion. His actions provided critical resupply of
ammunition and evacuation of the wounded.
Major Crandall's
daring acts of bravery and courage in the face of an
overwhelming and determined enemy are in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great
credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Video and
words of President George W. Bush Presenting Medal of Honor to
Bruce Crandall on February 26, 2007
Bruce Crandall
Talks About Day of Heroics
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