Fallen Hero's / Jolly Green 26 / 37th ARRS / HH-3E

9th November 1967

Jolly Green 26

37th ARRS

HH-3E #66-132279

On the 9 November 1967, Jolly Green 26 & Jolly Green 29 were scrambled to extract the five surviving members of a Special Forces reconnaissance team that had suffered heavy casualties in Laos. Jolly Green 29 successfully extracted 3 indigenous team members before being hit by ground fire, it departed and made an emergency landing at Khe Sanh AB. Jolly Green 26 extracted Special Forces S4 Joseph G. Kusick and MSgt. Bruce R. Baxter, both wounded, but was then hit by ground fire at point blank range, crashed and burst into flames on Hill 891 west of the village of Luay, Laos. A recovery team was inserted into the area and reached the crash site, but due to fading light, it was impossible to inspect the wreckage at that time. On the morning of 10 November, the pilot Captain Gerald O. Young was rescued after evading capture for some 17 hours after the crash. Later that morning the wreckage was searched and the charred remains of Kusick were recovered. The co-pilot Capt. Ralph Brower, the flight engineer SSgt. Eugene L Clay, the pararescue man Sgt. Larry W. Maysey and MSgt. Bruce Baxter were all killed. Captain Gerald Young was awarded the Medal of Honour.

Jolly Green 26 Crew
Co-Pilot Col. Ralph W. Brower
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Ralph Wayne Brower, Captain, U.S. Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-3E pilot of the 37th Aero Space Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, SEVENTH Air Force, in Southeast Asia on 9 November 1967. On that date, captain Brower attempted the night extraction of a ground reconnaissance team. Despite full knowledge that two helicopters had been shot down and a third severely damaged by intense, accurately directed hostile fire, Captain Brower, with determination, indomitable courage, and profession skill, established a hover on a steep slope within one hundred yards of hostile weapons positions and brought the wounded survivors aboard. The hostile forces closed in quickly, and as the helicopter departed, it was shot down. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Brower reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Pararescueman SSgt. Eugene L. Clay
Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Clay distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-3E Flight Engineer in Southeast Asia on 9 November 1967. On that date, Sergeant Clay attempted the night extraction of a ground reconnaissance team after his helicopter had been severely damaged. Two other helicopters had been shot down and a third extensively damaged in previous attempts. During the rescue attempt, Sergeant Clay unhesitatingly exposed himself to hostile fire to assist the survivors to the aircraft. The hostile forces closed in quickly, and as the damaged helicopter departed, it was shot down. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Sergeant Clay reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Pararescueman SrA Larry W. Maysey
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Larry Wayne Maysey (AFSN: 12751422), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an HH-3E Rescue Specialist (Pararescueman) of the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, in Southeast Asia on 9 November 1967. On that date, Sergeant Maysey attempted the night extraction of a ground reconnaissance team after his helicopter had been severely damaged. Two other helicopters had been shot down and a third extensively damaged in previous attempts. During the rescue attempt, Sergeant Maysey unhesitatingly exposed himself to the hail of hostile fire to assist wounded survivors into the helicopter. The hostile forces closed in quickly, and as the damaged helicopter took off, it was shot down. Though his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Sergeant Maysey reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.