Bruce P. Crandall Biography

While serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Major Bruce P. Crandall distinguished himself as a Flight Commander in the Republic of Vietnam (Airmobile). On November 14, 1965, his flight of sixteen helicopters flew troops from Plei Me, Vietnam, to Landing Zone X-Ray in the la Drang Valley for a search and destroy operation. The airlift began to come under enemy fire on the fourth soldier lift, and by the time the aircraft had refueled and returned for the following troop lift, the enemy had targeted Landing Zone X-Ray. Major Crandall's unarmed helicopter came under such heavy enemy fire when he and the first eight helicopters landed to release troops on his fifth troop lift that the ground commander ordered the second flight of eight aircraft to cancel their mission. Major Crandall concluded that the ground commander of the trapped infantry battalion badly required extra ammunition as he flew back to Plei Me, his headquarters of operations. Major Crandall then changed his base of operations to Artillery Firebase Falcon to reduce the air distance required to transport ammunition and remove wounded men. Despite the fact that medical evacuation was not his job, he quickly recruited volunteers and, despite his own personal safety, piloted the two planes to Landing Zone X-Ray. Major Crandall landed despite the fact that the landing zone was still under heavy enemy fire and proceeded to supervise the loading of critically injured men onto his aircraft. Major Crandall's voluntary choice to land under heavy fire inspired in other pilots the will and spirit to keep landing their own planes, and in the ground forces the knowledge that they would be recharged and the wounded would be evacuated quickly. At a critical time, this tremendously boosted morale and the desire to fight. Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening after his first medical evacuation. That day, he flew a total of 22 missions, most of which were conducted under heavy enemy fire, and he only left the battlefield after providing the Infantry unit with all available support. His activities ensured that ammunition was resupplied and that the wounded were evacuated. Major Crandall's daring deeds of bravery and heroism in the face of an overwhelming and determined adversary uphold the greatest military traditions and bring tremendous honor to himself and his regiment.

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