Mayaguez

AUSTIN, RANDALL W.
Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Randall Walter Austin (MCSN: 0-75337), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 15 May 1975 as the Commanding Officer, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines while engaged in the recovery of SS MAYAGUEZ which had been seized in the Gulf of Thailand by units of the Cambodian Navy. Landing on Koh Tang Island after being diverted to an alternate landing zone due to a heavy volume of enemy fire and with his raiding force spread over the northwestern and northeastern portions of the island, Lieutenant Colonel Austin immediately established communications with these elements and began coordination of supporting arms. With only 26 Marines and three corpsmen and despite being pinned down by heavy small arms fire and constant sniper fire, he organized his command and support group into an assault force and attacked the enemy's southern flank for over 1,800 meters, overrunning several bunker complexes and supporting firing positions, destroying or disposing of all enemy munitions and supplies along the way. In addition, he skillfully employed his 81-mm. mortars against enemy positions and enemy concentrations which destroyed at least one enemy mortar position and helped break up a determined enemy counterattack on the beleaguered landing zone perimeter. After linkup, Lieutenant Colonel Austin directed naval gunfire and air strikes on enemy positions. Despite continuous small arms fire, he calmly walked the lines of the perimeter, giving encouragement to the men and comforting the wounded. After extraction was ordered, he coordinated the systematic withdrawal of his force under increasingly intense enemy fire. By his daring actions, inspiring leadership, and undaunted courage in the face of grave personal risk, Lieutenant Colonel Austin upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Glenside, Pennsylvania

BATESON, THOMAS J.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Thomas J. Bateson, Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, for Sergeant Thomas J. Bateson distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, Sergeant Bateson was the Pararescue Specialist of a helicopter crew which on two separate missions delivered a contingent of United States Marines to the island in spite of heavy and constant hostile ground fire. Later on the same day while attempting to remove an isolated Marine force, the aircraft received additional damage, was forced to withdraw and make a single engine landing on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Coral Sea. After emergency repairs were accomplished, the aircraft returned to the island and still facing intensive ground fire and with the added hazard of total darkness made a successful removal of ground crew forces. This courageous action aided in the recovery of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Bateson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

ELDRIDGE, JOHN J.
(Second Award)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal to John J. Eldridge, Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, Sergeant Eldridge was the Pararescue Specialist of a HH-53C helicopter which flew three sorties spanning more than fourteen hours. Sergeant Eldridge and fellow crew members placed United States Marines aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. HOLT and then escorted a damaged aircraft to friendly territory where they recovered its contingent of the United States Marines. They then delivered a contingent of United States Marines to the island despite intensive hostile ground fire. They remained close to the island and provided protective fire for another aircraft and escorted it to safety. Later in the day, they returned to the island and again braved heavy hostile fire to successfully remove a group of United States personnel. This courageous action aided in the recovery of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Eldridge has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

EUSTIS, MICHAEL S.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Michael S. Eustis, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 15 May 1975 as the Artillery Liaison Officer with Battalion Landing Team, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines while engaged in the recovery of S.S. MAYAGUEZ which had been seized in the Gulf of Thailand by units of the Cambodian Navy. While participating in the assault operation of Koh Tang Island, the helicopter in which First Lieutenant Eustis was riding was hit by a heavy volume of enemy fire and crashed into the shallow water just off the beach. As the burning wreckage lay in the water, First Lieutenant Eustis began evacuating the trapped team from the aircraft until it exploded and threw him into the water. Recovering quickly, he noticed the severely wounded pilot struggling to escape the still burning helicopter. Although wounded himself, First Lieutenant Eustis came to the pilot's aid and pulled him away from the burning wreckage and the ground fire coming from the island. Sensing the anger of their position under the intense enemy fire and with only two life preservers available for the nine survivors, he made a float with his trousers and assisted others in doing the same. This allowed the party to clear the danger zone and kept them afloat for three and a half hours until their rescue. By his daring actions, resolute determination, and inspiring leadership, First Lieutenant Eustis instilled the will to survive in the others; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.

FISK, WAYNE L.
(Second Award)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal to Wayne L. Fisk, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, for gallantry in the all-volunteer Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed United States Army and Air Force military operation against an opposing armed force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, Sergeant Fisk was the Pararescue Specialist of a CH-53 helicopter aircrew which delivered a contingent of United States Marines to the Island. In spite of extremely heavy automatic weapons and rocket fire, the crew delivered the Marines to the small landing zone on the beach and provided suppressive cover fire which successfully allowed for the removal of wounded United States Marines from their perilous position. This courageous action aided in the safe recovery of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Fisk has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

MARX, BRAD E.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Brad E. Marx, Airman First Class, U.S. Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, Airman Marx was the Pararescue Specialist of a CH-53 helicopter which flew three sorties spanning more than fourteen hours. Airman Marx and fellow crew members placed United States Marines aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. HOLT and then escorted a damaged aircraft to friendly territory where they recovered its contingent of United States Marines. They then delivered a contingent of United States Marines to the island despite intensive hostile ground fire. They remained close to the island and provided protective fire for another aircraft and escorted it to safety. Later in the day, they returned to the island and again braved heavy hostile fire to successfully remove a group of United States personnel. This courageous action aided in the recovery of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Marx has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

STANALAND, JOSEPH S.
(Second Award)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal to Joseph S. Stanaland, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on 15 May 1975. On that date, Sergeant Stanaland was the Pararescue Specialist of a HH-53C helicopter which flew three sorties spanning more than fourteen hours. Sergeant Stanaland and fellow crew members placed United States Marines aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. HOLT and then escorted a damaged aircraft to friendly territory where they recovered its contingent of United States Marines. They then delivered a contingent of United States Marines to the island despite intensive hostile fire. They remained close to the island and provided protective fire for another aircraft and escorted it to safety. Later in the day, they returned to the island and again braved heavy hostile fire to successfully remove a group of United States personnel. This courageous action aided in the recovery of the S.S. MAYAGUEZ and its crew. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Stanaland has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

TONKIN, TERRY L.
Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Terry Lee Tonkin (MCSN: 0-116555), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 15 May 1975 as the Forward Air Controller with Battalion Landing Team, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines while engaged in the recovery of S.S. MAYAGUEZ which had been seized in the Gulf of Thailand by units of the Cambodian Navy. While participating in the assault operation of Koh Tang Island, the helicopter in which First Lieutenant Tonkin was riding was hit by a heavy volume of enemy fire and crashed into the shallow water just off the beach. Before impact, First Lieutenant Tonkin was blown out of the back of the aircraft. Despite a dazed condition and painful injuries, he immediately swam to the side of the burning aircraft and organized and directed the movement of the other survivors away from the aircraft and out to sea. Disregarding the heavy enemy fire, he organized a survival float so that each individual could assist one another. As the group continued to receive hostile fire from the shore, he obtained a survival radio and while treading water began to direct tactical air strikes on the enemy's position, persisting in his efforts until the fire was sufficiently suppressed to allow the survivors to swim out to sea where they remained afloat for three and a half hours until their rescue. By his aggressiveness and coolness under fire, he was instrumental in saving the lives of the survivors; thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Columbus, Ohio