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Click images below for larger version.
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The
President of the United States takes pleasure
in presenting the
HOSPITALMAN JOHN V. KICKHAM UNITED STATES NAVY for service as set forth in the following CITATION: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 5 February 1971, Hospitalman Kickham launched aboard a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned to medically evacuate a Marine who had been seriously wounded by fragments from an enemy antipersonnel mine. As the aircraft was lifting off after e mbarking the casualty, it came under intense hostile fire, some rounds of which penetrated the cabin and ruptured the hy- draulic fluid line, spilling a heavy flow of volatile liquid over Hospitalmam Kickham and soaking his clothing. Disregarding the obvious personal danger, he continued treating his patient as the pilot prepared to execute an emergency landing at an abandoned French fort nearby. The severe loss of hydraulic fluid prevented the pilot from maintaining absolute control of the transport and it crash landed in a moat surrounding the fort and rolled over with the windows on the right side beneath the surface of the water in the moat. While water rushed in through the back ramp, filling the cabin to knee depth, Hospitalman Kickham attempted to lift the wounded man to an escape hatch and the waiting hands of the crewmen who had exited he crashed aircraft. At this point, the helicopter burst into flames which detonated ammunition and ignited his fluid-soaked clothing, causing him to sustain severe burns. Although suffering intense pain, Hospitalman Kickham resolutely attempted to carry his companion away from the fire and to the forward cabin where there was ano- ther escape hatch but, in doing so, he fell through one of the submerged windows and became almost hopelessly entangled in concertina wire lining the moat. After a heroic struggle, he freed himself and swam to the other side of the helicopter in the hope of reentering the cabin and rescuing the patient who had slipped from his arms during his fall into the water. Becoming entangled in wire a second time, he again struggled desperately to free himself and, upon reaching the surface of the water, realized that the wire surrounded the transport, which made any further rescue attempt impossible and forced him to abandon his selfless mission. By his indomitable courage, fearless determi- nation, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Hospitalman Kickham inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of th e Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service." FOR THE PRESIDENT /S/ WILLIAM K. JONES
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EPILOGUE
The above citation indicates the evacuee was a Marine. Actually he was Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine who had both his legs blown off as a result of stepping on the antipersonnel mine. The ROK Marine was the only fatality incurred.
Information provided by:
Dan Moseler,
former 1stLt. USMCR
John V. Kickham,
former Corpsman USN
James E.
Connolly, former Sgt. USMC (Photos)
HN John V. Kickham's History Index
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