Hosted by PJs in
Vietnam
Last Update:
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Site Mission: Provide Pararescue
and Air Rescue History
Silver Star Recipient
Attention to orders. Citation to accompany the award of the Silver Star
First Oak Leaf Cluster to Sergeant Charles B. McQuoid
Sergeant Charles B. McQuoid II distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 26 August 1972. On that date, Sergeant McQuoid, a Pararescue Specialist on an HH-53C Rescue Helicopter with full knowledge that a previous recovery attempt had been met with intense automatic weapons fire, courageously volunteered to continue the rescue mission of a downed American airman. For over fifteen minutes, he stood in the open and unprotected doorway while operating his minigun to suppress the intense ground fire being directed at his helicopter as it hovered within meters of the North Vietnamese gunners. His willingness to risk his own life enabled his crew to successfully recover the downed airman. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant McQuoid has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.