"Cpl. Arrotta had  the official  tactical call sign of "India 14" which  identified him as the close air support (CAS) representative of the company. The troops, in recog- nition of  the tremendous amount of fire  power  he was  capable of calling to bear  on the NVA, referred to him as "The Mightiest Corporal in  the World."  Corporal Arrotta remained our Forward Air Controller (FAC) for  the entire siege,  directed about 300 CAS missions, all Supergaggles, and in coordination with  the helicopter support  team (HST), all medical evacuations.  Hell of a Marine!   Got  end-of-tour Bronze  Star.  Deserved  better.  Did  captain's  job  superbly  under  fire  for  three months." 

During the 2003 Reunion of the Khe Sanh Veterans Association, Arrotta was again recognized for his contributions as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) and received the following  Certificate of Appreciation (a reasonable facsimile thereof):

For Service set forth in the following:

For  extraordinary  heroism and  outstanding performance  in  action  against North Vietnamese Army forces in the Republic of Vietnam from January 1962 to December 1970, during operations in Quang Tri Province and the Khe Sanh Combat Base.   Throughout this  period,  imbued with an  unrelenting combat spirit, determination, and initiative, they remained undeterred by heavy hostile enemy  fire.  Our FAC PILOTS,  like birds protecting  their young,  were there doing their job.  Their actions prevented  the loss of many young men from all branches of  the uniformed services serving at Khe Sanh.  We and our families who are here  because of  your  dedication  to duty,  without concern for  your personal safety, say "Thank You."

You are an  enduring  reminder  that No Man  hath greater  love for his  fellow man  than  when they  are willing to lay  down  their  lives to protect  the lives of those they have chosen to protect.

Presented at the 2003 Khe Sanh Veterans Reunion
Charleston, South Carolina, 5 July 2003