Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
PFC Raymond Mike Clausen Memorial
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 21, 2008
1. PFC Raymond "Mike" Clausen Memorial (front)
(front)
30 May 2004
Helicopter Squadron
HMM 263
DaNang RVN
31 January 1970
Medal of Honor
31 Jan 1970
PFC Raymond Mike Clausen Jr
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group 16, First Marine Aircraft Wing, during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 31 January 1970. Participating in a helicopter rescue mission to extract elements of a platoon which had inadvertently entered a minefield while attacking enemy positions, Private First Class Clausen skillfully guided the helicopter pilot to a landing in an area cleared by one of several mine explosions. With eleven Marines wounded, one dead, and the remaining eight Marines holding their positions for fear of detonating other mines, Private First Class Clausen quickly leaped from the helicopter and, in the face of enemy fire, moved across the extremely hazardous mine-laden area to assist in carrying casualties to the waiting helicopter and in placing them aboard. Despite the ever present threat of further mine explosions, he continued his valiant efforts, leaving
this page online
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.
Location. 35° 13.482′ N, 80° 55.968′ W. Memorial is in Charlotte, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It is in Charlotte Douglas International Airport. It can be reached from Minuteman Way west of Minuteman Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker and helicopter are located on the grounds of the Carolina Aviation Museum. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 4106 Minuteman Way, Charlotte NC 28208, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in North Carolina’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Boeing / Vertol CH-46A / E Sea Knight (here, next to this marker); Charlotte Speedway (approx. one mile away); Morris Field
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 21, 2008
2. PFC Raymond "Mike" Clausen Memorial (rear)
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Carolinas Aviation Museum. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 9, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 21, 2008
3. PFC Raymond "Mike" Clausen Memorial
PFC Clausen was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic action during a rescue mission in this Sea Knight helicopter.
Photographed by Don Morfe
4. Medal of Honor Mission Crew
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 18, 2008
5. PFC Raymond M Clausen burial site at Ponchatoula Cemetery, Ponchatoula LA.
Photographed by Don Morfe, September 21, 2008
6. Carolina Aviation Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,136 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 12, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on March 12, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
