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Show Page 12 HILL TOP TIMES October 3. 1975 RJ Toree U II ini massive fuel and hydraulic leaks, to a friendly beach about 100 miles away. He then picked up the Marines from the crippled craft and returned them to their home ME base. Refueling again, Captain home, striking the sergeant's helmet, driving him under water when it hit. Dazed, but alive, he struggeld back to the Y surface. The three then continued their struggle until they were in deeper water, able to their jettison heavy and be carried by equipment the current out of range of enemy fire. Backlund I (continued from page 1) wounded aircraft commander out, then attempted to free the who had body of the been killed by enemy fire. He was driven off by intense co-pilo- t, flames and heat in this attempt. Sergeant Harston then began firing his rifle at the beach. When this jammed, he emptied the six rounds in his .38 revolver. Still in waist deep water, he inflated his life preserver, picked up one surviving Marine and headed for safety in deeper water. Within seconds, a bullet struck his life preserver, instantly deflating it. When about 40 yards from shore, he heard cries from another badly injured Marine stranded 20 yards behind. With the original Marine hanging on to his webbing, Sergeant Harston turned back to help the second one. Telling him to hang on to his back, the three began awkwardly paddling out to sea. With bullets still flying around them, one finally hit On that was he day, assigned to assist in an assault by U.S. Marines on Koh Tang reinforcement. Au Captain -- Capt. Donald R. Backlund. Captain Backlund's craft to hover over the destroyer's helipad, which was too small for an HH-5- 3 to land on, with less than two feet rotor clearance, while the troops Returning the survivors, several of whom were badly wounded, to the USS Coral Sea, Captain Backlund again refueled and returned to the battle area, where the operation was completed. The captain and his crew logged 14.8 flying hours that day. Col. Thomas J. Curtis earned the Silver Star and Legion of Merit medals for exceptionally conduct in Backlund meritorious performing successfully inserted his load of 27 Marines in a hail of enemy automatic weapon and Col. Thomas J. Curtis rocket fire. A short time later, the decision was made to Making a high-speerun under covering extract the Marine force and several wounded Air Force fire from other choppers and crewmen from the island. fixed-win- g aircraft, Captain The first two attempted Backlund's craft reached the extractions were driven off by beach. intense enemy fire. Captain Enemy fire from all Backlund's craft provided quadrants was being received covering fire and sustained from as close as 50 yards. battle damage during these he However, Captain Backlund remained attempts. escorted another crippled on the beach as his crew chopper back to the aircraft frantically hauled the 25 carrier, USS Coral Sea. again survivors aboard, including refueled and returned to the five Air Force crew members outstanding services to the United States as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam during September, 1965 to April, 1972. He was a lieutenant colonel at the time. Colonel Curtis' ceaseless efforts, by continuously showing resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war downed Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration. Colonel Curtis continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. low-altitu- de d, disembarked another from in extremely conditions prisons Marines from the island. Early that morning, the captain led an initial flight of three helicopters HH-5- 3 carrying a boarding party of Marines tasked to recapture the USS Mayaguez. The boarding party was successfully delivered to the destroyer USS Holt. However, the required delivery demonstrated professional competence, unwaivering devotion and loyalty to his helicopter. In the meantime, the enemy rushed the aircraft to within hand grenade range, but were fought off by Captain Backlund's crew. Only when he received country. HUNT PEC1M TRUCK TIRES MOUNTING FREE TRUCK RECAPS FULLY OUAtANTEID 700-1- 700-1- $ Iwt 19.45 M.T. from 4Q to OJilO SIZI PLY 1 3.34 4 39.13- "1.41 704-1- 4 4 34.3t 70.14 1 41.91 43. 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After an aerial refueling, Captain Backlund and his craft returned to the battle zone, where the initial attempt to insert Marines had met extremely heavy ground fire. Three of the four choppers had The multiple insertion and been shot down and the other battle area. extraction sorties flown by was struggling to reach Marshalling the only three Captain Backlund that day friendly territory with heavy remaining choppers, Captain met some of the fiercest battle damage. Backlund organized and led Captain Backlund provided ground fire ever encountered the next extraction attempts, by a heliborne assault force. search and rescue coverage which had to succeed because for the crashed choppers, then the ground force was Repeatedly pressing the escorted the crippled surrounded and darkness was attack, heavy despite from coming. resistance. Captain Backlund aircraft, suffering and his crew were the key men off the coast of Cambodia. An assault that had been directed by the President of the United States in an attempt to rescue crew members of the SSMayaguez, who were thought to be held prisoner on the island. Island, :- ground was badly in need of Wilson. SSgt. Jon D. Harston on-load- r positive confirmation that all survivors were aboard did Captain Backlund lift off. Marines and returned to the battle zone, where the situation was critical. Of the seven choppers that had attempted insertions, three had been shot down, two were heavily damaged and the small Marine force on the After three hours in the water, Sergeant Harston and his two Marines were picked up by the destroyer USS Capt. Donald R. Backlund earned the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism while a first lieutenant and aircraft commander on an HH-5- 3 helicopter on May 15, 1975. Bravery ni OUR OWN CHARGE PLAN |