I stumbled across a name I hadn't thought about in a long time tonight; CDR Clyde E. Lassen, the first Naval Aviator to recieve the Medal of Honor in Viet Nam.
He was CO of
HT-8 when I went through as a student Naval Aviator learning to fly helicopters. I had the privilege of flying my two Night Fam flights with him. Very soft-spoken, nice guy.
Here is an excellent article about how he earned his Medal of Honor.
I Googled him tonight and learned 2 things I didn't know:
1. He died in 1994 of cancer.
2. There is a ship named after him,
USS Lassen DDG 82,
USS Lassen homepage.
His Official Medal of Honor page.
Another good write-up with some pics.
Lassen Wiki.
His grave site if you live close to Pensacola...
Kevin