Forgotten Heroes of the Cold War: February 2008

for
Conspicuous Gallantry
in Action during
Operation Urgent Fury
In Grenada
(1983)

Citations

*SEAGLE, JEB F. (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Jeb F. Seagle (237964456), Captain, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while serving as an AH-IT (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit, conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. While conducting an armed reconnaissance mission in support of ground forces, Captain Seagle's aircraft was hit by multiple anti-aircraft artillery projectiles and forced down behind enemy lines. Having been knocked out by the blast, Captain Seagle regained consciousness after his fellow pilot had flown the aircraft to impact and found that his aircraft was on fire and burning out of control. As Captain Seagle exited the front cockpit of the Cobra, he saw that the other pilot had been critically wounded and remained helplessly trapped in the aircraft. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Seagle courageously returned to the aircraft which was now engulfed in flames and pulled him out. As unexpended ordnance began to cook off all around them, Captain Seagle carried the severely wounded pilot well clear of the danger. Now exposed to heavy enemy small arms and machinegun fire and faced with certain death or capture, Captain Seagle ignored the danger and remained to attend the wounds of the injured pilot by wrapping a tourniquet around his severely bleeding arm. Realizing that enemy soldiers were approaching, Captain Seagle fearlessly distracted them away from the helpless pilot and ultimately sacrificed his own life in an effort to buy time for the rescue helicopter to arrive. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of danger, Captain Seagle ensured his brother-in-arms was rescued; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals
Home Town: Jacksonville, North Carolina

U.S. Navy

ERSKINE, DONALD KIM
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Donald Kim Erskine, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while commanding an assault element from SEAL Team SIX in support of Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada on 25 October 1983. During early morning hours, Lieutenant Erskine successfully secured a target within an environment of dense enemy concentration. Determined to hold his position, he twice engaged the enemy and eliminated their combat effectiveness, taking 10 wounded prisoners of war without casualty to his assault element. Administering to the enemy wounded, Lieutenant Erskine again established a defensive perimeter. Engaged a third time by a numerically superior force, his position came under heavy automatic weapons, RPG-7, and 20-mm. cannon fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Erskine directed fire and maneuver tactics which allowed his force to take up new positions. Although painfully wounded himself and closely pursued by a large enemy force, he courageously directed his men in evasion and escape maneuvers which resulted in the safe extraction of his entire force. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Lieutenant Erskine reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

U.S. MARINES

DEMARS, MELVIN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Melvin DeMars, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an CH-46 Medevac Helicopter Pilot in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. Following the destruction of the helicopter piloted by Captain Jeb Seagle, Major DeMars flew the medical evacuation helicopter that landed and recovered Captain Timothy Howard from the crash site. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Major DeMars reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

*GIGUERE, PAT (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Pat Giguere, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an AH-1T (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. While conducting an armed reconnaissance mission in support of ground forces, Captain Giguere's wingman was hit by multiple anti-aircraft artillery projectiles and forced down behind enemy lines. With full knowledge of their vulnerability as a single aircraft without a wingman's protective cover and with total disregard for their own safety, Captain Giguere and his Co-Pilot exposed their aircraft to heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire while engaging enemy ground forces and preventing the certain capture of the helpless and gravely wounded crew. Requesting assistance from a rescue aircraft and organizing the rescue attempt, Captain Giguere and his Co-Pilot fearlessly continued to engage the anti-aircraft emplacements that encircled the zone protecting the more vulnerable rescue aircraft and buying enough time to effect a successful rescue. Purposely remaining behind until the rescue aircraft could escape the enemy fire, Captain Giguere sacrificed his life after a gallant struggle so that others might live. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Captain Giguere reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Home Town: Jacksonville, North Carolina
HOWARD, TIMOTHY B.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Timothy B. Howard, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as an AH-IT (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit, conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. Captain Howard was flying a Cobra helicopter supporting Navy SEALs who had gone in to rescue Governor-General Paul Scoon, the British Administrative Representative on Grenada. Captain Howard had brought his Cobra into a hover in order to allow his Weapons Officer, Captain Jeb Seagle, to line up a shot with a TOW missile. As they hovered the ship was bracketed by gunfire from a ZU-23 23-mm. Anti-Aircraft gun. Shells exploded around the ship. One shell hit the port side engine and another blasted through cockpit side. That second shell almost severed Captain Howard's right arm and also peppered his right leg, breaking it in a number of places. In addition, the violet impact had knocked Captain Seagle unconscious. Captain Howard using his functioning limbs, managed to land the aircraft in the middle of Tanteen Field without rolling it. The force of the impact activated the canopy release system and also woke Captain Seagle, who jumped out of the aircraft and pulled Howard free. He then tied his helmet communications cord around the stricken pilots arm to stop the bleeding. Captain Howard feeling as though he was slipping away, told Captain Seagle to leave him and save himself. Seagle refused and instead, grabbing Howard's pistol, moved away to lure Grenadian forces, who had begun advancing on the crash site, away from his grievously injured pilot. While a medevac CH-46 was landing to rescue Captain Howard, Captain Seagle was captured and executed by Grenadian forces. As the CH-46 sped out of St. George's Harbor, the gunship covering its withdrawal, crewed by Captain Pat Giguere and Lieutenant Jeff Scharver was hit and plunged into the harbor. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Captain Howard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
NEIDIGH, KELLY
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Kelly Neidigh, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a member of the aircrew on an CH-46 Medevac Helicopter Pilot in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. Following the destruction of the helicopter piloted by Captain Jeb Seagle, Staff Sergeant Neidigh rescued Captain Timothy Howard from the crash site. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, Staff Sergeant Neidigh reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
*SCHARVER, JEFFERY R. (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Jeffery R. Scharver, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an AH-1T (TOW) Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot in Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-261), Twenty-Second Marine Amphibious Unit conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, on 25 October 1983. While conducting an armed reconnaissance mission in support of ground forces, First Lieutenant Scharver's wingman was hit by multiple anti-aircraft artillery projectiles and forced down behind enemy lines. With full knowledge of their vulnerability as a single aircraft without a wingman's protective cover and with total disregard for their own safety, First Lieutenant Scharver and his pilot exposed their aircraft to heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire while engaging enemy ground forces and preventing the certain capture of the helpless and gravely wounded crew. Requesting assistance from a rescue aircraft and organizing the rescue attempt, First Lieutenant Scharver and his pilot fearlessly continued to engage the anti-aircraft emplacements that encircled the zone protecting the more vulnerable rescue aircraft and buying enough time to effect a successful rescue. Purposely remaining behind until the rescue aircraft could escape the enemy fire, First Lieutenant Scharver sacrificed his life after a gallant struggle so that others might live. By his extraordinary courage, uncommon valor, and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger, First Lieutenant Scharver reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Born: at Canton, Ohio
Home Town: Canton, Ohio

U.S. Army

TRUJILLO, STEPHEN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Stephen Trujillo, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Medical Aidman of the 2d Battalion, 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger), conducting combat operations on the Island of Grenada in support of Operation URGENT FURY, near Calivigny Camp on 27 October 1983. After a U.S. helicopter was hit by ground fire and spinning out of control, collided with a second helicopter causing both crash in flames to the ground, Sergeant Trujillo ignored the danger of hostile enemy fire and the possibility of imminent explosion from the fuel tanks of either or both aircraft in order to treat the wounded and to pull at least three of his comrades to safety. His actions were instrumental in saving several lives, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Home Town: Boulder, Colorado