Englewood in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Commander Clyde E. Lassen, United States Navy

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Commander Clyde E. Lassen, United States Navy Marker

Inscription.

Commander Clyde E. Lassen, United States Navy. . Dedicated to the patriotic service of Commander Clyde E. Lessen, United States Navy Medal of Honor Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1968 Hometown: Englewood, Florida Citation . For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, then-Lieutenant Junior Grade Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown, and hostile terrain a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors’ position. Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp decent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter: Enroute to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29). Dedicated on the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day November 11, 2018.

Dedicated to the patriotic service of
Commander Clyde E. Lessen, United States Navy
Medal of Honor
Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1968
Hometown: Englewood, Florida

Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, then-Lieutenant Junior Grade Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown, and hostile terrain a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors’ position. Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp decent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt,

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and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter: Enroute to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29).
Dedicated on the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day November 11, 2018.

Erected 2018.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Heroes • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 19, 1968.

Location. 26° 57.746′ N, 82° 21.971′ W. Marker is in Englewood, Florida, in Sarasota County. It is at the intersection of West Dearborn Street and Harbor

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Commander Clyde E. Lassen, United States Navy Marker

Lane, on the right when traveling west on West Dearborn Street. Located in a pavilion adjacent to Englewood Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 641 West Dearborn Street, Englewood FL 34223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Englewood (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historic Dearborn Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); Indian Mound Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Paulson Point Midden (approx. half a mile away); Lemon Bay Woman’s Club (approx. half a mile away); Lemon Bay Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Green Street Church and Museum (approx. one mile away); Buchan Airport (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Englewood.

Also see . . .
1. Clyde Everett Lassen. (Submitted on November 18, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Medal of Honor, Lieutenant Clyde E. Lassen, United States Navy. (Submitted on November 18, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Commander Clyde E. Lassen image. Click for full size.

Photographed by U.S. Navy

3. Commander Clyde E. Lassen

Medal of Honor Recipient

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.