TFH 4/7: CWO Robert L. Horst & WO1 Stephen R. Purchase, USA

Medical evacuation helicopter pilots fly their craft to rescue their wounded comrades. Their helicopters are unarmed, and to the enemies of liberty, the red cross on their sides makes for a target. On April 7, 1972 - forty years ago today - two brave pilots took their helicopter into the teeth of the enemy in an attempt to locate and rescue three Americans and one South Vietnamese soldier who were surrounded by an estimated enemy battalion.

Despite withering fire, they persisted. The aircraft commander, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Louis Horst, was mortally wounded. The pilot, Warrant Officer 1 Stephen R. Purchase, managed to pilot the stricken helicopter away. Both men were decorated with our Nation's second-highest honor: the Distinguished Service Cross.


Distinguished Service Cross Citation for CWO Robert Louis Horst:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Chief Warrant Officer Robert Louis Horst, United States Army (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 7 April 1972 while serving as the Aircraft Commander of an unarmed medical evacuation helicopter in the 283d Medical Detachment, while attempting to evacuate three American advisors and one Army of the Republic of Vietnam captain after their convoy had been ambushed by an estimated battalion of highly trained North Vietnamese troops north of the city of An Loc, Republic of Vietnam. Chief Warrant Officer Horst heard about the stranded, critically-wounded Americans, who at the time were completely surrounded by the North Vietnamese ground element, as he flew out to evacuate an American medic who had been wounded while his crew unsuccessfully attempted to extract the besieged Americans. After landing at the staging area of Song Be, chief Warrant Officer Horst received a briefing during which he was informed that the enemy was in possession of numerous anti-aircraft weapons, and the continuous air strikes delivered to the enemy element had been to no avail in slaking the withering fire directed on any and all aircraft attempting to fly in the vicinity. Chief Warrant Officer Horst demonstrating indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, elected to go to the site and attempt a rescue. Although three attempts had been previously made to extract the wounded personnel, they had all bee repulsed by the deadly hail of enemy fire. At the site the enemy troops began to make bold advances on the American position despite heavy rocket attacks by the helicopter gunships. Chief Warrant Officer Horst sensing that any further delay might cost the lives of the wounded on the ground, began his approach and landed on the highway. When he did not immediately see the wounded Americans, he hovered down the highway amidst withering fire directed at him from all positions around the aircraft. It was during this heroic and humane attempt to locate the survivors, that chief Warrant Officer Horst was struck and killed by enemy fire. Chief Warrant Officer Horst's feats of gallantry were an inspiration to all who observed and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.

Horst is memorialized on Panel 02W, Line 131 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He rests in peace at Springefield National Cemetery, Springfield, MO.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation for WO1 Stephen R. Purchase:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Stephen R. Purchase, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 159th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance). Warrant Officer Purchase distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 April 1972, while serving as the Pilot of an unarmed medical evacuation helicopter attempting to evacuate three wounded American Advisors and an ARVN (South Vietnamese Army) captain who were completely surrounded by an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Army troops. After landing at the staging area in Song Be, Warrant Officer Purchase received a briefing during which he was informed that the enemy was in possession of numerous anti-aircraft weapons and that continuous air strikes had failed to thwart the enemy offensive. Demonstrating indomitable courage, disregard for his own safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Warrant Officer Purchase volunteered to attempt a rescue even though three previous attempts that day had failed. At the rescue site the enemy troops began to make bold advances on the American position despite heavy rocket attacks by helicopter gunships. Realizing that further delay might cost the lives of the wounded, he began his approach and landed on a road in the area of the wounded soldiers. Because they could not be located, he hovered his aircraft along the road searching for them, flying in extraordinarily intense fire directed at him from all positions about the aircraft. During this time, his aircraft commander was struck and killed by enemy fire. Warrant Officer Purchase courageously piloted his aircraft from the area despite the overwhelming firepower that was not being directed against him. Warrant Officer Purchase's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Both Horst and Purchase were also recipients of the Silver Star for their courage in flying medical evacuation missions. You can read the citations by following the links to Military Times' Hall of Valor above. The veterans of the 159th Medical Detatchment (Helicopter Ambulance) have a web site.