AWARDED DFC: 3
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  Ambulance Helicopter

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Nelson E. Luce, Medical Service Corps United States Army, 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, for heroism while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Luce distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 February 1968 as aircraft commander of an ambulance helicopter on an evacuation mission near Song Be. Some severely injured infantrymen required extraction from the site where their unit was fighting a Viet Cong force. A previous rescue attempt by another aircraft had been aborted due to heavy damage inflicted on the ship by intense enemy fire. Major Luce considered the dangers involved and the fluid tactical situation of the infantry before deciding to attempt the evacuation. His first attempt was repelled as devastating enemy automatic weapons fire tore into the ship. Despite serious damage to his aircraft, Major Luce determinedly reentered the area, fully exposing himself to the enemy as he landed. After loading one critically injured soldier, Major Luce skillfully hovered his ship to a nearby location where another patient was placed aboard. Displaying exceptional flying skill, he then departed the area without oil pressure and flew to the Song Be medical facilities. Major Luce's outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United states Army.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Nelson E. Luce, Medical Service Corps United States Army, 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, for heroism while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Luce distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 February 1968 as the aircraft commander of an ambulance helicopter during a rescue mission near Lai Khe. He received word that an infantry battalion had become heavily engaged with a large Viet Cong force and had sustained several serious casualties who urgently needed evacuation. Arriving on station, he was informed that the unit was still in contact with the enemy, and that the helicopter fire team working the area had been severely damaged by enemy fire and was forced to depart for repairs. Fully aware of the patients' immediate needs, Major Luce unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt the evacuation despite the lack of gunship support. He began his approach and received ground fire. He quickly initiated evasive actions and successfully brought his ship into the pickup site. Still exposed to a steady stream of enemy fire, Major Luce kept his craft on the ground until all the wounded were safely aboard. He then lifted his aircraft out of the landing zone, skillfully maneuvered it through the hostile fire and flew the patients to medical facilities in Lai Khe. Major Luce's outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United states Army.

3.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Nelson E. Luce, Medical Service Corps United States Army, 45th Air Ambulance Company, 44th Medical Brigade, for heroism while participating in aerial flight, evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Major Luce distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 March 1968 as aircraft commander of an ambulance helicopter on a combat support mission in Phuoc Long Province. He received information that a Vietnamese Ranger battalion needed medical evacuation for a group of seriously wounded personnel. He immediately flew to the combat site. Although the Ranger battalion was still engaged in heavy fighting, Major Luce landed his helicopter, immediately becoming the target of a murderous enemy mortar barrage. Despite the heavy fire, he remained on the ground until the wounded were loaded aboard the aircraft. After flying the patients to a medical facility, he returned to evacuate more casualties on two succeeding missions and was subjected to mortar attacks on each occasion. As a result of Major Luce's courageous actions and exceptional skill, thirteen wounded Rangers were successfully evacuated. Major Luce's outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United states Army.