AMONG THE BRAVE

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM… MAJOR PATRICK HARDY WOOD, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE…

AIR FORCE CROSS

“The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS (Posthumously) to PATRICK HARDY WOOD, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-3E Helicopter of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, SEVENTH Air Force, in action near Mu Gia Pass, North Vietnam, on 6 February 1967. On that date, MAJOR WOOD flew two sorties in an effort to rescue a pilot downed deep in heavily defended hostile territory. An intensive search under constant fire failed to locate the pilot and the first sortie was cancelled due to rapidly deteriorating weather. MAJOR WOOD undertook a second attempt fully aware that fighter cover and flak suppression support were unavailable due to marginal weather. Despite intense and accurate 37-mm fire, MAJOR WOOD successfully located and hoisted the downed pilot into his aircraft. At this point, the hostile forces, thwarted in their attempts to capture the downed pilot, and with the possibility of luring other aircraft to destruction, directed all their fire power toward MAJOR WOOD’s aircraft. Heavy 37-mm fire exploded above the aircraft on a climb out, and one hit was taken in the cabin. Although his aircraft was severely damaged, MAJOR WOOD attempted to clear a ridge line which would have provided a sufficient altitude for a safe bailout for his crew. In the face of known highly dangerous area, extremely adverse weather conditions, and exceptionally heavy hostile fire, MAJOR WOOD pressed his humanitarian efforts to save a fellow airman. through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, MAJOR WOOD reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”