Captain Gerald Young displayed extraordinary heroism as a helicopter rescue crew commander during a daring night mission in Vietnam. After previous rescue attempts had failed—costing two helicopters—Captain Young refused to abandon the remaining soldiers trapped on a steep hillside under intense enemy fire. Despite overwhelming danger and low support, he hovered long enough to extract the survivors. Just after liftoff, enemy fire struck his aircraft at point-blank range, causing it to crash and burst into flames. Badly burned, Captain Young escaped the wreckage, helped a wounded comrade, and refused rescue when he saw enemy troops lying in wait for more helicopters. He then evaded capture for over 17 hours before finally being rescued. His selfless courage and unwavering commitment to his team earned him the Medal of Honor and a lasting place among America's military heroes.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Young distinguished himself while serving as a helicopter rescue crew commander. Capt. Young was flying escort for another helicopter attempting the night rescue of an Army ground reconnaissance team in imminent danger of death or capture. Previous attempts had resulted in the loss of 2 helicopters to hostile ground fire. The endangered team was positioned on the side of a steep slope which required unusual airmanship on the part of Capt. Young to effect pickup. Heavy automatic weapons fire from the surrounding enemy severely damaged 1 rescue helicopter, but it was able to extract 3 of the team. The commander of this aircraft recommended to Capt. Young that further rescue attempts be abandoned because it was not possible to suppress the concentrated fire from enemy automatic weapons. With full knowledge of the danger involved, and the fact that supporting helicopter gunships were low on fuel and ordnance, Capt. Young hovered under intense fire until the remaining survivors were aboard. As he maneuvered the aircraft for takeoff, the enemy appeared at point-blank range and raked the aircraft with automatic weapons fire. The aircraft crashed, inverted, and burst into flames. Capt. Young escaped through a window of the burning aircraft. Disregarding serious burns, Capt. Young aided one of the wounded men and attempted to lead the hostile forces away from his position. Later, despite intense pain from his burns, he declined to accept rescue because he had observed hostile forces setting up automatic weapons positions to entrap any rescue aircraft. For more than 17 hours he evaded the enemy until rescue aircraft could be brought into the area. Through his extraordinary heroism, aggressiveness, and concern for his fellow man, Capt. Young reflected the highest credit upon himself, the U.S. Air Force, and the Armed Forces of his country.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more true stories of American military heroes.

Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZMN1lzlPAu16EUXJlHOj2w/join

Copyright © 2025 Duty & Valor. All rights reserved.