Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division: Cavalry legend awarded Order of St. Michael

Facebook ^ | March 1, 2010 | Pfc. Roland Hale

[GonzoII]

“As the convoy charged north, we flew south, blistering along at well over one hundred knots, Parker working with his M-60 from the right side of the aircraft. His tracers were impacting on the spider holes as we ripped past, his targets not more than ten to twenty yards from his muzzle. We were so low that if someone had reached up out of a truck or tank turret, they probably could have caught our skid. Suddenly, not more than a hundred yards to my front, a five-thousand-gallon tanker truck took a direct RPG hit, and the diesel fuel it was carrying exploded like a nuclear bomb. Sheets of flame, parts of the truck, smoke, and dust shot up, momentarily blinding me. The little OH-6 lurched violently with the shock of the explosion, as though a giant unseen fist had landed a smashing blow to the nose of the aircraft.”

This excerpt is from “Low Level Hell: A Scout Pilot in the Big Red One”, written by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Hugh Mills, who served three tours in Vietnam as a pilot in the 1st Infantry Division. The 300 pages of the book maintain the same intensity seen in this brief excerpt, depicting Mill’s actions in Vietnam that inspired his nomination for the Order of St. Michael award.

Named after the biblical archangel charged with the waging war against evil, the Order of St. Michael award is bestowed upon aviators who have significantly contributed to Army aviation. The legendary image of St. Michael standing over a defeated dragon is a symbol of Army aviation’s prowess on the battlefield.

Leaders of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st ID inducted Mills and four active-duty, 1st ID aviators in to the order, Jan. 23, 17 years after Mills’ retirement from the Army.

[GonzoII]

[Daaave]

Thanks. I love the Vietnam era choppers. When I was a kid, I had models of a couple Hueys and a LOACH.

[GonzoII]

You’re welcome...nice pics.

[Desdemona]

Pretty cool.