Thomas E. West

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Thomas E. West, Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 1st Cavalry Division engaged in operations against overwhelming enemy forces near a fire support base center in the Kingdom of Cambodia on 2 May 1970. When approaching a downed pilot who had parachuted from his crippled aircraft, Specialist West’s aircraft came under intense enemy antiaircraft, automatic weapons and rocket fire. Noticing that the pilot was suspended from a tree and that the vegetation was too dense to land, Specialist West unselfishly volunteered to rescue the injured individual. Despite the strafing enemy fire, Specialist West descended the rope, crossed a clearing and attempted to free the pilot from his harness. Unable to free the pilot, he returned 50 meters to the helicopter in order to obtain a knife. Again, and with great courage and daring Specialist West returned through the hostile fire to the stranded pilot. Cutting the pilot loose, Specialist West then dragged him, despite closely impacting rounds, to the survival rope hanging from the aircraft. Because of severe rope burns Specialist West was unable to climb the rope. He wrapped his body around the pilot to protect him. Still using his body to protect the pilot and hanging from the rope 70 feet below the aircraft, Specialist West was flown through 1,500 meters of enemy fire to an open field where the aircraft landed and the injured pilot was put aboard. His extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1971)