Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Award of Air Force Cross to Jon D. Harston

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

1. Award of Air Force Cross to Jon D. Harston Marker

Inscription.
Citation to Accompany the Award of
The Air Force Cross
to
Jon D. Harston
Staff Sergeant Jon D. Harston distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a flight mechanic of a CH-53 helicopter on 15 May 1975. On that date, while engaged in the rescue of the crew and recovery of the SS MAYAGUEZ, the helicopter encountered extremely heavy hostile fire and crashed at the shoreline of Koh Tang Island. Sergeant Harston, although wounded, braved hostile fire to insure fellow crewmembers and the United States Marine landing force passengers were removed to safety. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of an opposing armed force, Sergeant Harston reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Erected 2007 by Maxwell-Gunter AFSNCOA Class 07-C.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Cold • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list.

Location. 32° 24.264′ N, 86° 14.975′ W. Memorial

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex, Alabama, in Montgomery County. It 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. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 550 McDonald St, Montgomery AL 36114, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Alabama’s Tri-Counties River Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Award of Air Force Cross to John A. Chapman (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Timothy A. Wilkinson (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Charles L. Schaub (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. McGrath (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Leroy M. Wright (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Zachary J. Rhyner (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Jason D. Cunningham (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Theodore M. Hamlin (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex.

Regarding Award of Air Force Cross to Jon D. Harston. On May 15, 1975, SSgt. John D. Harston, a helicopter flight mechanic, was on a CH-53 Super Jolly Green helicopter sent to rescue crew members of SS Mayaguez, which had been seized by Communist Khmer Rouge forces. The helicopter was hit by enemy fire and crash-landed on

Jon D. Harston image. Click for full size.

via Veterans Tributes, unknown

2. Jon D. Harston

Koh Tang, just off the shore of Cambodia. Although Harston was wounded, he helped survivors exit the burning helicopter. He fired his rifle until it jammed and emptied a revolver before inflating his life preserver. He then picked up two injured Marines before paddling to deeper water, where they waited three hours before they were rescued.

Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016

3. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.

Enlisted Air Force Cross Description image. Click for full size.

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 March 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,061 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on March 28, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.