Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. King
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
1. Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. King Marker
The Air Force Cross
to
Charles D. King
Airman First Class Charles D. King distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Pararescue Specialist in Southeast Asia on 25 December 1968. On that date, Airman King was aboard a helicopter engaged in the recovery of a downed United States Air Force pilot from an extremely hostile area. With complete disregard for his own safety, Airman King voluntarily descended on a rescue hoist more than one hundred feet to the ground to aid the injured pilot. Once on the ground, he carried the rescue device to the pilot, freed him from the parachute, secured him to the rescue device, and then used the cable hoist to drag the pilot to a point near the hovering helicopter. Though wounded, Airman King, in an extraordinary display of courage and valor, placed his comrades lives above his own by refusing to continue their exposure to the murderous enemy fire. Without taking time to secure himself to the hoist cable, he radioed that he was hit and for the helicopter to pull away. Airman King made this selfless decision with the full realization that once the helicopter departed, he would be alone, wounded, and surrounded by armed,
this page online
Erected 2006 by Maxwell-Gunter AFSNCOA Class 06-C.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list.
Location. 32° 24.258′ N, 86° 14.973′ W. Marker is in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of McDonald Street and Avenue D. Located at the USAF Senior NCO Academy at the Gunter Annex and requires base access. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 McDonald St, Montgomery AL 36114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Award of Air Force Cross to Joel E. Talley (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Donald G. Smith (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Michael E. Fish (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Victor R. Adams (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Theodore M. Hamlin (here, next to this marker);
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
2. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.
Regarding Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. King. On Christmas Day 1968, A1C Charles D. King, a 40th ARRS pararescueman, and his fellow HH-3 crew members set out to find a downed pilot in Laos. When they located him, King descended, freed the wounded pilot from his parachute, and secured him to the hoist. However, as King tried to maneuver the pilot to a spot beneath the helicopter, intense enemy fire erupted, wounding King and hitting the chopper. King told the HH-3 pilot to pull up. The hoist cable snagged in a tree and pulled loose from the mount. His instructions to the Jolly Green saved the aircraft and crew. Two days of searching for King were unsuccessful. He was declared missing in action until Dec. 5, 1978, when he was listed as killed in action. His remains have never been recovered.
Photographed By USAF Photo
3. Charles D. King
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
4. Enlisted Air Force Cross Description
The AF Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy, to any person while serving with the U.S. Air Force, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing enemy force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces, engaged in conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. It is awarded for heroic actions second in precedence only to the Medal of Honor and is presented in the name of the President. It was established by Congress by Public Law 88-593 on 6 July 1960.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 385 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 28, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
