Cdr Lassen was on the staff at Whiting (forget his position) when I went through the HTs; he would stop by the squadrons occasionally. Seemed like a really good guy.
-
Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?
Go here:
Edit Account Details and Profile
Profiles in Courage: Clyde Lassen
- Thread starter exhelodrvr
- Start date
Cdr Lassen was on the staff at Whiting (forget his position) when I went through the HTs; he would stop by the squadrons occasionally. Seemed like a really good guy.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (j.g.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29) .
Recent shot of USS Lassen
091117-N-1644H-511 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 17, 2009) The guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) are underway in the Pacific Ocean. Ships from the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force are participating in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX 21G), a bilateral exercise designed to enhance the capabilities of both naval forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John M. Hageman/Released)
Just another JO done good in face of adversity! Gets the medal and a ship named after him.
091117-N-1644H-511 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 17, 2009) The guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) are underway in the Pacific Ocean. Ships from the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force are participating in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX 21G), a bilateral exercise designed to enhance the capabilities of both naval forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John M. Hageman/Released)
Just another JO done good in face of adversity! Gets the medal and a ship named after him.
All of the SAR HELO-drivers in SEA were TIGERs and did an heroic job, day in, day out: guys who did their job, were unassuming heroes and were largely unappreciated by the media of the day. I'll tell you who REALLY appreciated 'em ... and that's the fast-mover guys living & breathing in SEA ... many of them livin' & breathin' BECAUSE of these SAR HELO-drivers of all services.
One of my friends in the Reserves in Dallas was a terminal O-3 on active duty, terminal O-4 in Reserve-Town ... he had a stack of ribbons at least 4-5 high -- when 4-5 rows meant something ... he & his crew did a rescue in Haiphong Harbor -- under fire -- and during the evolution he ordered his door gunner to 'clean 'em off' an East-Bloc freighter that was giving them a lot of AK fire as when they went in for the pickup. The gunner did his job, a USN pilot was plucked from the water and saved from captivity, a significant # of Commie bastards did not make it home, and diplomatic protest(s) and a State Dept stink ensued.
For his efforts, my friend was officially reprimanded and rotated out early ... Navy career over.
heyjoe said:
That's a great story, and definitely why they created the MoH.
Still, I can't help thinking, "If that were today, he'd be be standing at the wrong end of a long green table, instead of getting a medal". . .
There has been more than one instance in which it was going to either be a medal or that green table dating way back so I would hope things really haven't changed in that regard in terms of honoring the selfless act.
The bottom line is: medals be damned. Guys 'in the trenches' today, just like guys of yesterday, will stand up for one another when the chips are down. Guys will do the 'right thing' when it counts, regardless of the 'other considerations' that may have to be faced afterwards. Reference my Amigo in Hải Phòng (means: 'coastal defense') ... he did the 'right thing'.
Naval Aviation specifically, the U.S. Military in a larger sense. That's why we refer to one another as Brothers --- Brothers-in-Arms. :icon_mi_6
It was always a pleasure and an honor when a nomadic HC-7 Big Mother det. came aboard. There was no mistaking the HH-3As with their ominous dark paint scheme and mini-guns. We never really got to know them personally for they were only onboard for a few weeks at a time. But it was really comforting to have them around, knowing they would go through hell to rescue you if you were ever downed.
All of the SAR HELO-drivers in SEA were TIGERs and did an heroic job, day in, day out: guys who did their job, were unassuming heroes and were largely unappreciated by the media of the day. I'll tell you who REALLY appreciated 'em ... and that's the fast-mover guys living & breathing in SEA ... many of them livin' & breathin' BECAUSE of these SAR HELO-drivers of all services.
.............
HC-7 was the the most highly decorated navy squadron of Vietnam. Much more importantly, they saved a lot of lives by flying far into harm's way.
Nice Naval Aviation News article about them HERE.
I raised the BS flag on a guy claiming to have been in HC-7 during Vietnam.
Really pissed me off because those guys (HC-7) busted their asses to save lives and this poser was spouting off some unbelievable shit.
I kinda know a little about CSAR and it's history, none of his embellishment made any sense.
Really pissed me off because those guys (HC-7) busted their asses to save lives and this poser was spouting off some unbelievable shit.
I kinda know a little about CSAR and it's history, none of his embellishment made any sense.
There used to be some kind of LTJG Lassen picture display / memorial over at the academic building in South Whiting as well.