Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. McGrath
Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
1. Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. McGrath Marker
The Air Force Cross
to
Charles D. McGrath
Sergeant Charles D. McGrath distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Pararescue Recovery Specialist on an HH-53C rescue helicopter in North Vietnam on 27 June 1972. On that date, while penetrating dense jungle to rescue a severely injured American airman, Sergeant McGrath exposed himself to intense ground fire in order to drag the incapacitated survivor to a suitable recovery area. Seeing his rescue aircraft crippled by the hostile fire, he directed air strikes against surrounding hostile ground forces until he was able to secure the survivor and himself to the penetrator of a backup helicopter. Rising through constant accurate ground fire, he shielded the survivor with his own body until they were successfully recovered into the aircraft where he immediately began providing the vital medical assistance required to save the lives of the survivor and an injured crewmember. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Sergeant McGrath reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Erected 2007 by
this page online
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list.
Location. 32° 24.262′ N, 86° 14.976′ W. Memorial 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 Leroy M. Wright (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 Timothy A. Wilkinson (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Jon D. Harston (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Theodore M. Hamlin (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to John A. Chapman (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 Jason D. Cunningham
Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
2. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.
Regarding Award of Air Force Cross to Charles D. McGrath. Pararescueman Sgt. Charles D. McGrath with the 40th ARRS was lowered from HH-53 Super Jolly Green 73 on June 27, 1972, to rescue a badly wounded F-4 pilot downed in North Vietnam. He dragged the pilot through thick brush to the recovery site, but the helicopter was hit by hostile fire and lost its hoist, leaving the two men stranded. When another rescue chopper arrived, McGrath got the wounded pilot ready and rode up the hoist with him amid gunfire. Once safely inside, McGrath treated both the F-4 pilot and another PJ whose leg had been shattered by the gunfire.
Photographed by USAF Photo
3. Charles Damian McGrath
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 935 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
