Military Medals

I think it's not so much a "military" matter as much as it is an Army matter. During recruit training back in '73, the Coast Guard needed helicopter pilots. So, it recruited Army Air Warrant Officers who had been RIFed in the Army's post-combat draw down. They went through a three-week familiarization period at CG Training Center-Alameda. They went through as E-3 Seamen (PFC). It was noticeable on Friday dress inspections that the men of Sierra Company had more ribbons than the long-serving inspecting E-9 CPO.

 

It may have been that most of the chopper pilots had flown UH-1 Iroquois (Hueys) and the AH-1 Cobra (Snake) in combat. Army Warrant Officers received a disproportionate number of combat citations because of the nature of their jobs (DFC-Distinguished Flying Cross being one of them). That includes a disproportionate number of MOHs (Medal of Honor).

Most of these guys joined the Army right out of High School, at only 18 years of age. (The Army Warrant Officer Flight Training program was often referred to as "High School to Flight School.")

By the time they were RIFed (Reduction In Force) most of them had 5 to 10 years of service (making them only 23 to 28 years old), often including multiple tours in combat, which generates a lot more fruit salad than sitting at a desk and planning training exercises.

[In the interest of full disclosure: Been there. Done that.]

 

Considering at the time, Hueys were the backbone of the CG chopper fleet, it's not surprising that these men were recruited. Mind you, Coast Guard recruit training cadre was not a bunch of desk jockeys. It was just another shore rotation for Boatswain and Gunners Mates. My boot pusher was a Master Chief Gunners Mate on a sunset tour.