Politics & Government

Ypsilanti veteran to receive Medal of Honor for daring rescue in Vietnam War

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff

Published July 13, 2016 at 4:38 PM EDT

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Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles

Jodie Westrick / Michigan Radio

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U.S. Army Lt. Charles Kettles at the controls of an Army L-19 aircraft, 1954.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles

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U.S. Army Maj. Charles Kettles (left), standing beside his heavily damaged “Huey” helicopter on return from the May 15, 1967 emergency extraction rescue operation.";s:

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles

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U.S. Army Maj. Charles Kettles between tours of duty to Vietnam, Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, 1968

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles

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U.S. Army Maj. Charles Kettles in his second tour of duty in Vietnam, at a change of command ceremony where he took charge of the 121st Assault Helicopter Company, Soc Trang, Vietnam, 1969.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles

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Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles poses in front of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, 2009. ";

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles

Next Monday, the nation will say thank you to 86-year-old Charles Kettles.

President Obama will present the Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot with the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest award, for a courageous rescue mission in the heat of ferocious combat.

On May 15, 1967, this son of Ypsilanti flew his UH-1 helicopter into heavy enemy fire time and time again to save dozens of soldiers pinned down by the North Vietnamese Army.

His Huey was battered by enemy mortar rounds and automatic weapons fire, but he somehow kept his helicopter airborne, and accomplished his mission.

Today, we welcomed retired Lt. Col. Charles Kettles of the U.S. Army to Stateside.

GUEST Retired Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles is a Vietnam War veteran who will be presented the Medal of Honor on Monday, July 18, 2016.