Stephen W. Pless

[2] While a senior at Georgia Military Academy, Pless enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on September 6, 1956, and served with the 1st Motor Transport Battalion in Atlanta.[2] After his detachment in April 1966, Pless was assigned duty as Brigade Platoon Commander, 1st ANGLICO, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.[citation needed] After his return from Vietnam, Pless served as an administrative assistant of Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.Citation:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a helicopter gunship pilot attached to Marine Observation Squadron 6 in action against enemy forces.During an escort mission Maj. Pless monitored an emergency call that 4 American soldiers stranded on a nearby beach were being overwhelmed by a large Viet Cong force.Returning to the insertion site on eight separate occasions and even though his aircraft received severe damage from enemy ground fire on three different passes over the hostile positions, he steadfastly continued to provide outstanding support.Displaying calm presence of mind, he maneuvered his aircraft in preparation for another attack heading and subsequently commenced his firing runs when the crew safely released the burning rockets from the helicopter.In addition, he assisted the Tactical Air Controller (Airborne) and thoroughly briefed other helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft pilots on the disposition of enemy and friendly units as they arrived on station.In large measure due to his analysis and comprehensive knowledge of the tactical situation, he was instrumental in planning the extraction of the friendly forces from the embattles area.During the retraction operation, Captain Pless led a five aircraft division of UH-1E helicopters into the fire-swept zone, utilizing the fire power of his aerial gunner after he had expended all his ordnance on the enemy positions.By his determined fighting spirit, exceptional aeronautical ability and courageous actions despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Captain Pless contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of the mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
January 16, 1969, President Lyndon Johnson presented Medals of Honor to four recipients. L-R; LT. Clyde E. Lassen , US Navy; Pless; President Johnson; Lt. Col. Joe M. Jackson , US Air Force; and SSG Drew D. Dix , US Army.
Newnan, GeorgiaPensacola, FloridaBarrancas National CemeteryUnited States of AmericaUnited States Marine CorpsMarine Observation Squadron 6Vietnam WarMedal of HonorSilver StarDistinguished Flying CrossBronze Star MedalPurple HeartAir MedalUH-1 IroquoisAtlantaDecatur High SchoolDecaturGeorgia Military AcademyCollege ParkU.S. Marine Corps Reserverecruit trainingParris IslandSouth Carolina10th Marine Regiment2nd Marine DivisionPensacolaFloridanaval aviatorHMR(L)-262Marine Aircraft Group 26New RiverNorth CarolinaHMR(L)-264USS Boxer (CV-21)USS Wasp (CV-18)USS Shadwell (LSD-15)HMM-162East AsiaThailandDa NangRepublic of VietnamOfficer Candidate SchoolcaptainANGLICOMarine Corps Air Station Kaneohe BayHawaiiRepublic of KoreaKorean Marine CorpsChu LaiKorean Order of Military MeritAir MedalsClyde E. LassenJoe M. JacksonDrew D. DixLyndon B. JohnsonWhite HouseDepartment of DefenseNavy CrossdrawbridgePensacola BeachApollo 11Navy Commendation Medalvalor deviceNational Defense Service MedalMarine Corps Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalVietnam Service MedalVietnam Campaign MedalNaval Aviator BadgeNavy and Marine Corps Parachutist InsigniaBronze Star”V” device5⁄16" Gold StarStrike/Flight numeralsNavy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalCombat Action RibbonNavy Presidential Unit CitationNavy Unit CommendationOrder of Military Merit (Korea)Republic of Vietnam Gallantry CrossRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit CitationUnited States NavyMaritime Prepositioning shipSgt. Matej Kocak-classcargo shipMilitary Sealift CommandUSNS Maj. Stephen W. Pless (T-AK-3007)National Museum of the Marine CorpsQuantico, VirginiaGeorgia Aviation Hall of FameMarine Corps Base HawaiiCoweta County CourthouseNewnan, GAMuseum of AviationRobins AFBLt. Col. Joe M. JacksonNewnan Times-HeraldUnited States Marine Corps History DivisionMilitary Times