THE WALL OF FACES

Remember to save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go...

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Chief Warrant Officer Manford Lloyd Kleiv, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in Vietnam on 9 October 1964. Chief Warrant Officer Kleiv was performing his duties as an Instructor Pilot of an Army UH-1B helicopter in connection with a support mission in the Republic of Vietnam when his aircraft was shot down by a hostile force. Immediately after the initial impact of the aircraft, he evacuated the crew and established defensive positions around the downed helicopter while exposing himself to the advancing enemy troops. Despite the hail of heavy small arms fire, he returned to the aircraft, made an emergency distress call, and then covered the crew members as they maneuvered to defilade positions. Assured that the crew members were well covered, he again returned to the aircraft, repeated the distress call, and while attempting to rejoin the crew, was morally wounded. His fortitude, courageous actions, and deep concern for his crew members enabled them to be evacuated from the area by helicopter. Chief Warrant Officer Kleiv's conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Dear WO Manford Kleiv, Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the 10th Day of Christmas, Merry Christmas and happy New Year in heaven. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Manford Lloyd Kleiv from Whitefish, Montana was a Helicopter Pilot (Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor) assigned to 7th Aviation Platoon, 56th Transportation Company, 45th Transportation Battalion, US Army Support Command Vietnam, MACV. According to his posthumously awarded Silver Star citation, on October 9, 1964, CW3 Kleiv was performing his duties as an instructor pilot of a UH-1B helicopter in connection with a support mission in the Republic of Vietnam when his aircraft was struck by ground fire and lost engine oil pressure. After successfully performing an autorotation landing, CW3 Kleiv evacuated the crew and established defensive positions around the downed aircraft while exposing himself to the advancing enemy troops. Despite the hail of heavy small arms fire, he returned to the aircraft, made an emergency distress call, and then covered the crew members as they maneuvered to defilade positions. Assured that the crew members were well covered, he again returned to the aircraft, repeated the distress call, and while attempting to rejoin the crew, was mortally wounded.

CW3 Kleiv was a Army veteran of with over 20 years of service when he died. He enlisted in the Army in 1943 and had fought in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns of World War II and was an Army Ranger before transitioning into a helicopter pilot. He was 40 years old when he died.

Dear CWO Manford Lloyd Kleiv, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter