- SURNAME
Gibson
- FORENAME
Melvin B.D.
- UNIT
1 Special Operations Wing (Det 2)
- RANK
Staff Sergeant
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
North Vietnam 1970 (Son Tay)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Melvin B. D. Gibson, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam, on 21 November 1970. On that date, Sergeant Gibson voluntarily participated as Loadmaster in a combat flight which led the force into Son Tay. With complete disregard for his personal safety in the face of enemy fire, he skillfully performed many unorthodox, precisely times operations. His superior performance insured the success of critical activities and significantly reduced the hazards of ground force maneuvers. As a result of Sergeant Gibson's heroic efforts, the force arrived at Son Tay without incident, the enemy ground forces were completely surprised, and the mission was successfully completed. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Gibson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/47163
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