AWARDED DFC: 4
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  UH-1E, CH-46

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John E. Rhodes, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Late on the afternoon of 22 August 1969, First Lieutenant Rhodes launched as Section Leader of a flight of two armed UH-1 E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a nine-man reconnaissance patrol which was heavily engaged in combat with a North Vietnamese Army force deep in enemy-controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he established an orbit until fixed-wing air strikes were completed and then boldly executed repeated rocket and strafing runs against enemy automatic weapons emplacements along a wooded ridgeline. When one of the transport helicopters attempting to extract the team sustained severe damage and was forced to land 1,000 meters from the patrol, First Lieutenant Rhodes expertly delivered covering fire which enabled the downed crew to be extracted. Then, after refueling and rearming his gunship, First Lieutenant Rhodes, undeterred by the darkness which created additional hazards, resolutely returned to the beleaguered patrol and provided such effective suppressive fire that the first transport helicopter was able to establish a hover, let four team members attach themselves to its eighty-foot extraction ropes, and lift them out of the area. Realizing that the second transport aircraft would have difficulty in extracting the five remaining patrol members, he jettisoned his rocket pods to lighten his gunship, attempted to extract one of the Marines, but was forced to abort his efforts when the high altitude of the zone and the weight of his aircraft made the task impossible. Undaunted by the constant threat of hostile fire, he marked the pickup site with his spotlights, provided cover until the five remaining patrol members were attached to the second aircraft's Jive extraction ropes, and then escorted the flight out of the precarious zone. While enroute to Vandegrift Combat Base, the five men were imperiled when their ropes became entangled, First Lieutenant Rhodes slowed the entire flight, played his spotlights on the men to continually check their condition, and directed crash vehicles to shine their lights on the runway at the combat base. As a result, all the reconnaissance team members landed safely. First Lieutenant Rhodes' courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger 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 First Lieutenant John E. Rhodes, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 367. 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 31 August 1969, First Lieutenant Rhodes launched as Section Leader of a flight of two armed UH-1 E helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the emergency extraction of a United States Army Special Forces reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force in a mountainous area deep in enemy-controlled territory. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the friendly patrol was located in tall elephant grass on the side of a steep ridge and was receiving intense hostile fire from three sides. Realizing the urgency of extracting the beleaguered team when fire in the dry grass caused by gunship attacks on the enemy positions further endangered the reconnaissance patrol, First Lieutenant Rhodes, undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire directed at his aircraft, directed the extraction helicopters into the hazardous area and then maneuvered his gunship at treetop level during repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered all of his ordnance upon the enemy positions with pinpoint accuracy. As a result of his flight's devastating attacks, the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable the transport aircraft to enter the precarious area and safely extract the reconnaissance team. First Lieutenant Rhodes' 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 In the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

3.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the third Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John E. Rhodes, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 36 7. Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of I 7 October 1969, First Lieutenant Rhodes launched from the Quang Tri Air Base as Wingman in a section of two armed UH-1 E helicopters escorting seven other aircraft which had been assigned the emergency mission of extracting a United States Army Special Forces reconnaissance team which was heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force deep in enemy-controlled territory. Despite extremely adverse weather conditions which forced the flight pattern to be readjusted, he ably assisted the section leader in guiding the flight around lowering clouds and in maintaining flight integrity until the flight arrived over the designated area. Undaunted by the intensity of the hostile fire directed at his aircraft and the hazards encountered in maneuvering his gunship in the darkness over the rugged terrain, First Lieutenant Rhodes fearlessly maneuvered his helicopter on repeated rocket and strafing runs and delivered his ordnance with such precision that the enemy fire was suppressed sufficiently to allow his flight leader to execute low-altitude passes to pinpoint the beleaguered patrol's position in a densely jungled area surrounded by high ridges. Continuing to brave the hostile fire, he provided accurate and highly effective suppressive fire which enabled two of the extraction aircraft to establish a hover above the pick-up site, hoist the embattled reconnaissance team aboard, and depart the precarious area without sustaining battle damage. En route to Quang Tri, he again aided the section leader in maintaining flight integrity in the adverse weather until the flight's arrival at the air base. First Lieutenant Rhodes' courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

4.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a gold star in lieu of the fourth Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John E. Rhodes, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 36 7, Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 September 1969, First Lieutenant Rhodes launched from the Quang Tri Combat Base as Section Leader of a flight of two UH-1 E Huey helicopters assigned the mission of supporting the resupply of a Marine reconnaissance team operating deep in enemy-controlled territory and the medical evacuation of the team's casualties. Despite adverse weather conditions, he proceeded to the designated area and, establishing radio contact with the patrol, was informed that the Marines had broken contact with a hostile force. After maneuvering his aircraft on a low-altitude flight in order to draw the fire of any enemy in the area and disclose the hostile firing positions, First Lieutenant Rhodes, when no fire was encountered, directed the lead transport helicopter to commence its approach to the landing zone while he provided cover. When his flight came under an extremely heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire, several rounds of which struck his aircraft, he completely disregarded his own safety as he resolutely maneuvered his aircraft on repeated rocket and strafing runs and boldly delivered his ordnance with such devastating effectiveness that the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to allow the transport to enter the hazardous area, discharge its load of supplies, embark the casualties, and safely depart the dangerous zone. First Lieutenant Rhodes· 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.