THE WALL OF FACES

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Battalion: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364)
Division: 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Robert William Armenio (MCSN: 0-101559), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 27 July 1969, First Lieutenant Armenio launched as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned an emergency medical and prisoner evacuation mission near An Hoa in Quang Nam Province. Unhesitatingly commencing his approach, he skillfully landed in the obstacle-studded zone and steadfastly remained in his vulnerable position until the casualties were embarked. Displaying superb airmanship, he then executed a takeoff, however, before clearing the area, the transport came under a heavy volume of hostile fire, sustained extensive damage, and crashed, mortally wounding all aboard. First Lieutenant Armenio's courage, superior aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty inspired all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Battalion: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364)
Division: 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Robert William Armenio (MCSN: 0-101559), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 8 June 1969, First Lieutenant Armenio launched from Marble Mountain Air Facility as Aircraft Commander of a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned the emergency medical evacuation of four seriously wounded Marines from an area southwest of DaNang. Arriving over the designated location, he observed that the landing zone was under small arms and automatic weapons fire and that the Marines were unable to move their casualties to a more favorable area because hostile soldiers held tree lines on two sides of the friendly unit. Fully aware of the possible consequences of his daring actions, but thinking only of the welfare of the injured men, First Lieutenant Armenio commenced a high-speed, low altitude approach to the landing zone through the enemy fire. During the considerable length of time required to embark the wounded Marines, he ignored the rounds impacting around his aircraft and resolutely maintained his vulnerable position until assured that all casualties were aboard. Displaying superb airmanship, he then expeditiously departed the dangerous area, skillfully executing evasive maneuvers which prevented damage to his helicopter or further injury to the Marines. His heroic and selfless deeds inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. First Lieutenant Armenio's courage, superior aeronautical ability and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the vital mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps an of the United States Naval Service.

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Battalion: Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364)
Division: 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Robert William Armenio (MCSN: 0-101559), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group 16, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 February 1969. First Lieutenant Armenio launched as Copilot aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of a casualty from a Second Republic of Korea Marine Brigade unit heavily engaged with a hostile force in Quang Nam Province. Forced to abort his first approach because of the intensity of the enemy fire, he requested the Korean Marines to pinpoint the hostile position by ground flares, skillfully monitoring his instruments and controls and coordinating his second approach with the supporting fire of Marine gunships as he aided his pilot in landing in the fire-swept area. Quickly embarking the wounded man, he cleared his aircraft to depart the hazardous area and proceeded to the nearest medical facility. Forced to ground his CH-46 because of extensive battle damage, he obtained another helicopter when informed that three more casualties required immediate extraction at the same landing zone and resolutely returned to the dangerous area. Undaunted by the extremely heavy volume of enemy fire again directed against his CH-46 and the lack of gunship support, First Lieutenant Armenio boldly assisted his aircraft commander in maneuvering through the withering fire to land near the injured men. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting in the area, he directed his aerial gunners in the delivery of such effective suppressive fire that the casualties were quickly embarked and the CH-46 departed the fire-swept area and proceeded to the medical facility. First Lieutenant Armenio's courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in saving the lives of the Korean Marines and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

At 1530 hours [3:30 PM] on July 27, 1969, a U.S. Marine Corps CH-46A helicopter (#154018), YT-10, from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM 364), was on an emergency medevac mission 17 miles southwest of Da Nang, Quang Nam Province, RVN, when it was hit by hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire as it departed a pick-up zone. Disabled by the fire, YT-10 was observed by another Marine helicopter crew to attempt a landing on a plateau on top of a hill. Radio transmissions from the pilot of YT-10 indicated that he was loaded with medevacs and was suffering a hydraulic failure and flight control problems. The second crew observed YT-10 approach the hillside and abruptly drop below the rim and fly directly into the hillside. The aircraft rolled to bottom of a ravine and burst into flames. The other helicopter attempted to lower a crewman on a hoist to pick up survivors, however, burning jet fuel and ammo cooking off forced the rescue aircraft away. YT-10 completely burned in a matter of minutes. No survivors were recovered and eleven lives were lost in the incident. The lost crew of YT-10 included pilot 1LT Robert W. Armenio, co-pilot 1LT Daunt B. Sanders, crew chief CPL John T. McDaniel, gunners CPL John H. Harris Jr., GSGT Raymond Gibel, and LCPL Michael F. Gramlick, and corpsman HM1 Charles H. Hackworth. The five lost passengers were LCPL Leon R. Barickman, PFC Ronald J. Scharf, PFC Paul M. Du Charm, CPL Ralph D. Storm, and a wounded NVA soldier being transported for interrogation. CPL Storm's body was being evacuated after he was shot and killed while making a rescue attempt when the point man of his patrol was gunned down and killed. Storm received a Silver Star for his actions. LCPL Barickman was suffering from a severe leg infection and was taking the medevac back to the rear for treatment. He and PFC Du Charm were tasked with escorting the NVA prisoner on the flight. [Taken from popasmoke.com and vhpa.org]

Dear Lt. Armenio You lived only a block from my house in Cambria Heights. You were a friend of my cousin, Joey Limone, and visited my house many times. I have a photo of you at my house during the holidays taken in the late 1950's. I was young at the time and wish I could remember you. Thank you for your service to our country and I pray your soul is at peace.