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 LAWRENCE PAUL REIMAN

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 12 March 1968,
Major Reiman  launched as  Section Leader in a flight of eight CH-46  transport helicopters  assigned  to resupply a  Marine outpost on  Hill 881 South  near  the Khe Sanh Combat Base.   Due  to  deteriorating  weather conditions,  he maneu- vered  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  a heavy volume of  hostile mortar,  rocket and automatic  weapons fire that  damaged his  helicopter as  he neared  the  landing zone,  he resolutely continued  his  approach and  successfully released  his  vital cargo in the drop zone.  Sustaining  additional battle  damage as he departed the hazardous area,  he rapidly determined that he could continue his mission  while rendezvousing  with  the  flight  over  Khe Sanh.  When  requested  to  medically evacuate  seven  wounded  Marines from the  Khe Sanh Airfield,  Major Reiman ignored  a heavy enemy mortar and rocket  attack against the base while unhesi- tatingly  commencing his approach  and skillfully  maneuvering  his CH-46  to a landing near  the medical evacuation zone.   As the casualties  were being placed aboard  the  helicopter,  a mortar  round exploded  ten meters from  the aircraft, rewounding  three  of  the  evacuees  and  seriously  injuring  four  of  the   litter bearers.   Completely  disregarding  his  own  safety,  Major Reiman  steadfastly remained  in the hazardous  area until all  eleven wounded  men were  embarked and  expeditiously delivered  his passengers to  the medical  facility at  Dong Ha. Major Reiman's courage,  superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger  contributed significantly  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

 

Crew of YK-11

Maj. Lawrence P. Reiman Pilot
1stLt. H. T. Foss Copilot
Cpl. Paul D. Key Crew Chief
Cpl. Edward C. Olsker Gunner
Cpl. Ronald Caldwell Gunner

After Action Report

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