LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Charles Nesbitt, a member of the 57th
Assault Helicopter Company upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross for his extraordinary
achievement in an aerial flight during the Vietnam War

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as to those who
have served in times of peace; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Charles
Nesbitt, a member of the 57th Assault Helicopter Company upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross
for his extraordinary achievement in an aerial flight during the Vietnam
War; and
WHEREAS, A former New York State Assemblyman, Charles Nesbitt's medal
was awarded for heroism while participating in aerial flight that
occurred on November 14, 1968, while on a mission in extracting a United
States Army Special Forces team out of Laos; the task was supposed to be
routine, until one helicopter unexpectedly crashed into the jungle; and
WHEREAS, Amid enemy fire, Charles Nesbitt and a second helicopter
moved in to pick up the downed crew; believing they had everyone on
board, the aircraft lifted off, but soon realized one man was missing;
and
WHEREAS, After depositing their rescued soldiers at a secret outpost,
Charles Nesbitt and the other helicopter flew back to the crash site; he
hovered his Huey in the treetops, trying to see the jungle floor; now
running low on fuel, he made the decision to make one final pass direct-
ly over the downed aircraft, where they spotted the wounded soldier
lying on the ground; and
WHEREAS, Trees being more than 100 feet tall and broken bamboo stumps
all over the ground prevented the helicopter from landing; Charles
Nesbitt and the other helicopter would have to return to base for fuel
along with a specially trained Special Forces Bright Light Team to
extract the wounded soldier with a McGuire rig; and
WHEREAS, Arriving back at the crash site, one helicopter unloaded the
Special Forces team while Charles Nesbitt hovered over the wounded
soldier, receiving enemy gunfire; he called for cover from the escorting
Cougars, whose mini-guns scattered the enemy and slowed the North Viet-
namese Army's rate of fire; and
WHEREAS, The rescue team had not yet arrived, however, and the enemy
was near the crash site, in a position to kill or capture the wounded
soldier, when Charles Nesbitt made the decision to lower his helicopter
into the landing zone, hearing bullets going off around them as they
began the descent; however, it was too risky trying to cut through the
canopy, and Charles Nesbitt was forced to hover back up to the top of
the canopy, while his crewmen fired their M60 machine guns at anyone who
moved near the downed aircraft; and

WHEREAS, When the rescue team finally arrived, they fastened the
wounded soldier into the McGuire rig and Charles Nesbitt began his
ascent, with the gunships firing constantly to disengage the enemy; and
WHEREAS, Charles Nesbitt mentioned that getting to an area of elephant
grass where they could lower and recover the wounded soldier into the
aircraft took slow and precise flying; after the rescue, 20 year-old
Charles Nesbitt had been flying more than nine hours, three and one-half
of them under enemy fire, and his helicopter was nearly out of fuel; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Charles Nesbitt is worthy of the
Distinguished Flying Cross; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited their patriotism both at home and abroad,
these men and women demonstrated their love for their country and merit
forevermore, the highest respect of their State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and
thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for
their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Charles Nesbitt, a member of the 57th Assault Helicopter Company
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Distinguished
Flying Cross for his extraordinary achievement in an aerial flight
during the Vietnam War; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Charles Nesbitt.