AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  CH-46

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Curtis T. Crews, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-six, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 2 August 1967, Captain Crews launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a casualty from a Marine unit that was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force deep in enemy-controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the landing zone was too small for his aircraft and located in an area surrounded by high bamboo. Undaunted by the intense enemy fire directed against his aircraft and the extremely hazardous conditions of the terrain, he skillfully maneuvered his helicopter to chop his way through the bamboo with his rotar blades, and successfully landed in the zone. Ignoring the extensive damage to a vital hydraulic system and the main rotar transmission caused by the extremely heavy volume of hostile fire, Captain Crews completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly remained in his dangerously exposed position until the wounded Marine was embarked and then lifted out of the precarious area. Skillfully maneuvering his crippled aircraft he subsequently executed a safe landing at the nearest medical facility. Captain Crew's courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

2.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of the second Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Curtis T. Crews, United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 24 November 1970, Captain Crews launched as Wingman in a flight of two AH-1G Cobra helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency medical evacuation of eight casualties from a Marine company which had become heavily engaged in combat with a large hostile force shortly after it had been inserted into a sector of Antenna Valley in Quang Nam Province. Arriving over the designated area, he found that rain, mist, and a ceiling as low as fifty feet above the ground would severely restrict visibility and his area of maneuverability and was informed that the wounded Marines were located at three different pick-up sites along a river bed in a narrow, twisting ravine. Undaunted by the constant threat of enemy fire and the difficulty of maneuvering his gunship in the confined area, he led a CH-46 transport helicopter into the hazardous area and boldly positioned his Cobra between the transport and the entrenched enemy as he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft to provide cover while escorting the extraction craft to each of the pick-up sites. Although hostile fire was encountered only after the last of the casualties were embarked, he ably provided cover which enabled the transport to depart the dangerous area and proceed to the nearest medical facility. Captain Crew's courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.