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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Gary D. Mc Kee

In August 1966, PFC Orvel L. McKee was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal (Eight Oak Leaf Cluster for his actions on March 30, 1966. PFC McKee was serving as a door gunner on a UH-1D helicopter in direct support of a rifle platoon in contact with a hostile force. After landing twice to pick up friendly troops, the pilot and co-pilot were critically wounded and the aircraft was severely damaged. After the pilot got the aircraft out of the landing zone and the hydraulics were shot away, PFC McKee pulled the unconscious pilot from the seat and took control of the aircraft. With no previous flight training, he flew the damaged aircraft without hydraulics for twenty minutes to Plei Me and landed safely. Ten people aboard were saved by his actions.