The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
The NAVY CROSS to
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ALLEN ELLIS WESELESKEY, United States Navy
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Allen Ellis Weseleskey (614343), Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism on 9 March 1968 while serving as an Attack Helicopter Fire Team Leader with Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron THREE (HAL(L)-3) in the Mekong Delta region of the Republic of Vietnam. While attempting to rescue two United States Army advisors who had been critically wounded when their Vietnamese battalions engaged communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces, Lieutenant Commander Weseleskey and his helicopter fire team were caught in an intense cross fire during the attempt to land. Signaled to abort and clear the area, by ground troops, the fire team departed the zone, machine guns blazing. When his wingman’s aircraft commander and gunner were wounded, Lieutenant Commander Weseleskey ordered them to return to base while he remained on station to complete the mission alone. Witnessing a Vietnamese aircraft receive several hits which forced it to depart station, Lieutenant Commander Weseleskey renewed his determination to complete a successful rescue of the Americans. Joined by an Army AH-1G gunship to cover his attempt, he led his crew into the combat zone, again receiving intense enemy automatic-weapons and .50 caliber fire. He landed his helicopter on target, in an extremely confined zone, and brought aboard the two critically wounded U.S. Army advisors and a seriously wounded Vietnamese soldier. Lifting his heavily laden helicopter out of the zone, Lieutenant Commander Weseleskey maintained absolute control of his aircraft despite adverse flying conditions. By his professional leadership and courageous fighting spirit, he served to inspire his crew to perform to their utmost capability, thus ensuring the success of the mission. His heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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