Bennie D. Orrell

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Bennie D. Orrell, Captain, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Rescue Crew Commander of an HH-53C helicopter in action near Tchepone, Laos, on 13 April 1972. Captain Orrell voluntarily and with great courage, piloted his rescue helicopter against seemingly insurmountable odds in support of the search and rescue mission of a downed American pilot. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Orrell Successfully maneuvered his aircraft to a hover over the survivor and retrieved the downed pilot, virtually from the hands of his would-be captors. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Orrell reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.