TFH 7/11: A Daring Rescue Mission by Two "Centaurs"

What became the United States Army's F Troop (Air), 4th Cavalry Regiment ("Centaurs") started as part of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry attached to the 25th Infantry Division. When the division left Vietnam, the air cavalry troop stayed behind and joined the 1st Aviation Brigade.

The Centaurs were equipped with a variety of aircraft, including the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse light observation helicopter. 40 years ago this day on July 11, 1972, a helicopter was shot down in territory held by the communist North Vietnamese. Five American and one South Vietnamese servicemen - some gravely injured - faced certain capture or death by the enemy barring a dramatic rescue.

Two officers from F Troop volunteered to fly their Cayuses to rescue the downed men. They endured withering antiaircraft gun and missile fire, and ultimately did rescue the five men. The two heroic pilots were Captain Frederick D. Ledfors and First Lieutenant Wesley F. Walker. Both men received the Distinguished Service Cross for their daring mission.


Citation for CPT Frederick D. Ledfors:

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 Captain (Infantry) Frederick D. Ledfors, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as Pilot of a Light Observation Helicopter in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Ledfors distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 July 1972 while flying his light observation helicopter on a voluntary rescue mission behind enemy lines north of Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam, on 11 July 1972. Captain Ledfors was serving as the scout team leader of an emergency rescue mission when he and his wingman were engaged by extremely intense small arms, automatic weapons, 23-mm. and 37-mm. anti-aircraft fires, and heat seeking missiles. In spite of the intensity and ferocity of the voluminous hostile fire, he continued his flight in search of the downed American crewmen. During his search, Captain Ledfors continually returned fire for fire with the hostile ground forces in the area. He successfully located the crash survivors in a bomb crater, descended into the confined area and hovered to their position, skillfully maneuvering his aircraft to avoid the hostile fire coming from a known North Vietnamese Army regimental stronghold surrounding the survivors' position. After three of the survivors were placed aboard his aircraft, Captain Ledfors attempted to depart the landing zone. However, finding his aircraft excessively overloaded, he instructed his wingman to depart ahead of him so that should he not be able to clear the area, at least his wingman would get clear. Utilizing extraordinary skill and experience, Captain Ledfors was able to coax every bit of power from his straining engine and fly clear of the battle area, again breaching the barricade of intense hostile fire. Immediately realizing that he would be unable to remain airborne with his excessive load, he accomplished an extremely hazardous night landing into a relatively secure rice paddy and transferred the survivors to another aircraft. Through his indomitable courage, total disregard for personal safety and inspiring leadership, Captain Ledfors was responsible for the successful rescue of five American air crewmen and one Vietnamese marine all of whom were severely burned or wounded and prevented their certain capture or death at the hands of the enemy. Captain Ledfors' conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

Ledfors eventually retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. He passed away on July 13, 2010 at age 66. Per his obituary, he also was decorated with the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Bronze Stars with Combat "V". He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.


Citation for 1LT Wesley F. Walker:

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 First Lieutenant Wesley Franklin Walker, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as Pilot of a Light Observation Helicopter in Troop F, 4th Air Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, on a voluntary rescue mission behind enemy lines north of Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam, on 11 July 1972. Lieutenant Walker was serving as the wingman of a Scout Team on an emergency rescue mission when he and his Team Leader were engaged by extremely intense small arms, automatic weapons, 23-mm. and 37-mm. anti-aircraft fires, and heat seeking missiles. In spite of the intensity and ferocity of the hostile fire, he continued his flight, constantly returning fire for fire with deadly accuracy covering his Team Leader and assisting him in the search for the downed American crew. After the survivors were located in a bomb crater, he flew to their position laying down extremely accurate suppressive fire, landed and picked up three of the survivors. Although his aircraft was greatly overloaded with the additional weight, he skillfully utilized every remaining ounce of power in his straining engine and departed the area. First Lieutenant Walker was responsible for the rescue of five American air crewmen and one Vietnamese Marine, all of whom were severely burned or wounded, and prevented their certain capture or death at the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant Walker's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

I wasn't able to find any records, so I believe that Lieutenant Walker is still living today at age 65 (born June 7, 1947).

The 1st Aviation Brigade was retired with the end of the Vietnam War, and no units of the 4th Cavalry Regiment presently hold aviation roles.