This episode of "Navy Log" was first aired on December 6th, 1955, and
its titled "The Pentagon Story".
This episode summarizes the Pentagon’s search and investigation into the
actions of Lt. (j.g.) John Kelvin Koelsch, during the Korean War, which
led to him receiving, posthumously, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
He was the first helicopter pilot to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The
story is based upon detail uncovered by the Pentagon and all names are
the actual names of the personnel involved in Koelsch’ saga. What
follows is an edited version of the description attached to his medal.
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Navy helicopter
rescue unit. … Up to the time of his death while still a captive of the
enemy, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch steadfastly refused to aid his captors in any
manner and served to inspire his fellow prisoners by his fortitude and
consideration for others. His great personal valor and heroic spirit of
self-sacrifice throughout sustain and enhance the finest traditions of
the U.S. Naval Service.”
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Did you know: Lt j.g. John Kevlin Koelsch was one of only seven U.S.
Naval personnel who received the Congressional Medal of Honor during the
Korean Conflict (1950 – 1953).
Lieutenant (jg) Koelsch's official citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Navy helicopter rescue
unit in North Korea on 3 July 1951. Although darkness was rapidly
approaching when information was received that a Marine aviator had been
shot down and was trapped by the enemy in mountainous terrain deep in
hostile territory, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Koelsch voluntarily flew a
helicopter to the reported position of the downed airman in an attempt
to effect a rescue. With an almost solid overcast concealing everything
below the mountain peaks, he descended in his unarmed and vulnerable
aircraft without the accompanying fighter escort to an extremely low
altitude beneath the cloud level and began a systematic search. Despite
the increasingly intense enemy fire, which struck his helicopter on one
occasion, he persisted in his mission until he succeeded in locating the
downed pilot, who was suffering from serious burns on the arms and
legs. While the victim was being hoisted into the aircraft, it was
struck again by an accurate burst of hostile fire and crashed on the
side of the mountain. Quickly extricating his crewmen and the aviator
from the wreckage, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Koelsch led them from the
vicinity in an effort to escape from hostile troops, evading the enemy
forces for 9 days and rendering such medical attention as possible to
his severely burned companion until all were captured. Up to the time of
his death while still a captive of the enemy, Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
Koelsch steadfastly refused to aid his captors in any manner and served
to inspire his fellow prisoners by his fortitude and consideration for
others. His great personal valor and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice
throughout sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United
States naval service.
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