Congressional Medal of Honor - Vietnam War - U.S. Marine Corps - STEPHEN WESLEY PLESS

Congressional Medal of Honor Society ^ | Undated | Unattributed

[Perseverando]

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT STEPHEN W. PLESS

Vietnam War - U.S. Marine Corps

STEPHEN WESLEY PLESS

DETAILS

RANK: MAJOR (RANK AT TIME OF ACTION: CAPTAIN)

CONFLICT/ERA: VIETNAM WAR

UNIT/COMMAND:

MARINE OBSERVATION SQUADRON 6, MARINE AIRCRAFT GROUP 36, 1ST MARINE AIRCRAFT WING

MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. MARINE CORPS

MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: AUGUST 19, 1967

MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: NEAR QUANG NAI, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

CITATION

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a helicopter gunship pilot attached to Marine Observation Squadron 6 in action against enemy forces. During an escort mission Maj. Pless monitored an emergency call that four American soldiers stranded on a nearby beach were being overwhelmed by a large Viet Cong force. Maj. Pless flew to the scene and found 30 to 50 enemy soldiers in the open. Some of the enemy were bayoneting and beating the downed Americans. Maj. Pless displayed exceptional airmanship as he launched a devastating attack against the enemy force, killing or wounding many of the enemy and driving the remainder back into a treeline. His rockets and machine- gun attacks were made at such low levels that the aircraft flew through debris created by explosions from its rockets. Seeing one of the wounded soldiers gesture for assistance, he maneuvered his helicopter into a position between the wounded man and the enemy, providing a shield which permitted his crew to retrieve the wounded. During the rescue the enemy directed intense fire at the helicopter and rushed the aircraft again and again, closing to within a few feet before being beaten back. When the wounded men were aboard, Maj. Pless maneuvered the helicopter out to sea. Before it became safely airborne, the overloaded aircraft settled four times into the water. Displaying superb airmanship, he finally got the helicopter aloft. Maj. Pless' extraordinary heroism coupled with his outstanding flying skill prevented the annihilation of the tiny force. His courageous actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

ACCREDITED TO: ATLANTA, FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA

AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: NO

PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: JANUARY 16, 1969

THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESENTED BY PRES. LYNDON B. JOHNSON

BORN: SEPTEMBER 6, 1939, NEWNAN, COWETA COUNTY, GA, UNITED STATES

DIED: JULY 20, 1969, PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

BURIED: BARRANCAS NATIONAL CEMETERY (MH) (21-929A), PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

LOCATION OF MEDAL: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE US MARINE CORPS, QUANTICO, VA

[Perseverando]

He died 52 years ago yesterday and just 6 months after he was awarded the MOH.

To the best of my memory (it's been more than 45 years), according to a good friend of his from Flight School and a Marine aviator, Major Pless died while drinking and riding his motorcycle. According to the friend, Pless tried to jump a drawbridge as it was opening while coming back to the mainland from Pensacola Beach.

Also according Major Pless's friend, Major Pless while conducting the escort mission violated SOP to break off from the escort mission and go to the aid of the soldiers on the beach.

According to Pless's desription to the friend, during the defense of the soldiers on the beach, Major Pless used the skids of the helicopter to attack the VC during his gun runs. (I can't remember if that was after he ran out of ammo.)

Anyway, according to Major Pless, the Marine Corps had two options for his actions: 1. Charge him with a violation of the UCMJ for failure to follow orders/SOP, or 2. Give him a medal.

[JonPreston]

Thank you for this.

[Steely Tom]

Incredible story of heroism. Unbelievable day’s work in Vietnam, back in 1967.

[twister881]

This is sad. From years of experience, I’ve learned we can keep our troops reasonably safe in the most challenging operational environments (direct contact with the enemy excluded), but they kill themselves or others on liberty, with alcohol almost always involved and motorcycles often involved. Such a waste, particularly when the buddy system breaks down.

[twister881]

I note he died on the same day Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of Apollo 11 walked on the moon.

[Bookshelf]

It appears he also held the Purple Heart and Silver Star. Some Marine!

[DPMD]

Consider the report of his death verified. He also didn’t garner a lot of respect among his fellow Marine aviators in the Navy’s training command in Pensacola, where he was stationed. Many opted out of attending his funeral.

[easternsky]

Thank You

[oh8eleven]

"Pless died in a motorcycle accident on July 20, 1969, just over six months after receiving the nation's highest award for gallantry in action. While driving across a drawbridge which connected the city of Pensacola to Pensacola Beach, his motorcycle plunged off the end of the open bridge into the water. The center span of the bridge opened horizontally, and Pless did not realize it was open until it was too late. His body was recovered by divers seven hours later."

Source

[arthurus]

I love these.

[doorgunner69]

Cannot say for sure, but I think I went to HS with one of the crew members, who was also awarded.

Would like to see a list of the crew’s names.

[Perseverando]

"Pless died in a motorcycle accident on July 20, 1969, just over six months after receiving the nation's highest award for gallantry in action. While driving across a drawbridge which connected the city of Pensacola to Pensacola Beach, his motorcycle plunged off the end of the open bridge into the water. The center span of the bridge opened horizontally, and Pless did not realize it was open until it was too late. His body was recovered by divers seven hours later."

Thanks, for that info. I was told the story by a mutual friend of Major Pless's and Major Horace Higley “Buddy” Fleming III , USMC, KIA Vietnam at the home of Major Fleming's parents in Pensacola in late 1975 or early 1976.

Major Fleming was a 1st LT or Captain at the time of his death, and was listed as MIA for several years.

As I remember, all three were in flight school together at Pensacola where Major Fleming was raised.

Major Fleming's death was a tragedy, too. Here's the account of his death: "Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 2020."

FOLLOWING WEB SITE FOR COMPLETE STORY OF ACTION LEADING TO DEATH/MISSING IN ACTION:

[Perseverando]

As I remember, all three were in flight school together at Pensacola where Major Fleming was raised.

After reading your "Source" in post #9, I see that Major Pless attended flight school in 1959-1960, so it would have been impossible for Pless, Fleming and the third guy to have been in flight school together.

It was a long time ago, and apparently I am not remembering the whole story, including the part about Pless trying to "jump the draw bridge."