THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us…..

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Edward Gaffney Creed (NSN: 6925779), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on the night of 22 June 1966, as a Hospital Corpsman with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-161), First Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam. Serving aboard the lead helicopter on a medical evacuation mission seven miles north of Quang Tri when the helicopter landed in the midst of a fierce battle where many Vietnamese troops lay wounded, Petty Officer Creed unhesitatingly leaped onto the battlefield to organize the evacuation of the more seriously wounded, loading ten casualties aboard the helicopter before boarding himself. On the second trip into the battle area, he again left the helicopter, despite intense small-arms fire and mortars in the zone, and loaded the rescue aircraft with ten more wounded. Observing that more wounded still remained in the zone, Petty Officer Creed elected to stay and load the second helicopter. While he was engaged in this task, the helicopter was struck by enemy fire which wounded the pilot. Completely absorbed by the job at hand, Petty Officer Creed waded through the muddy rice paddy, selflessly disregarding the tracers and mortars, until the battlefield was cleared of wounded, finally boarding the helicopter which departed through a hail of tracer fire. Through his prompt and courageous actions, Petty Officer Creed was instrumental in saving the lives of over twenty wounded troops as well as expediting the loading and minimizing the exposure time for the helicopters and crews. His determined and heroic efforts in the face of great personal danger was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

On the remembrance of your 76th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

"Greater love hath no man..."

Semper Fi, Doc.

Dear HM3 Edward Creed,
Thank you for your service as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class with the 3rd MAF. Semper Fi. Thank you for the lives you saved. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On June 25, 1966 four Marire Corps UH-34Ds from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 were provided to support the 4th Marines during Operation Jay. Assigned to resupply and medical evacuation duty, the helicopters initially had little to do. When darkness fell, enemy contact became heavier. By midnight, HMM-161 had 12 helicopters airborne on medical evacuation and resupply missions for Operation Jay. One of the medical evacuation aircraft, lifting out of the zone after picking up four wounded Marines, was called back for another wounded man. As the pilot was landing, the helicopter was hit and burst into flame while it was still airborne. A corpsman, Hospitalman Third Class Edward G. Creed, was killed along with three of the wounded. The helicopter crew and one evacuee survived the initial crash and were taken out on another helicopter. One of the crewmen who survived the crash, Sergeant Donald E. Stahl, was severely burned and died 2 days later. Captain Floyd F. Stansfield, First Lieutenant Edward W. Motekew, and Private First Class Jerry D. Ayotte, all suffered moderate burns as a result of the crash but survived. The squadron continued its support of Operation Jay until June 28th. [Taken from archive.org]