Maxwell Air Force Base Gunter Annex in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Award of Air Force Cross to Joel E. Talley
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
1. Award of Air Force Cross to Joel E. Talley Marker
The Air Force Cross
to
Joel E. Talley
Airman First Class Joel E. Talley distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Rescue Specialist on a HH-3E Rescue Helicopter in Southeast Asia on 2 July 1968. On that date, Airman Talley volunteered to be lowered to the ground from a hovering helicopter into the jungle of North Vietnam to rescue an injured pilot, who had ejected the previous day. The downed pilot had parachuted into a concentration of North Vietnamese Army regulars who immediately surrounded him and set up gun positions to trap the forthcoming rescue helicopters. Four rescue attempts were driven off and a supporting fighter aircraft was shot down by the devastating ground fire which encircled the survivor’s position. Despite full knowledge of the well laid trap Airman Talley voluntarily descended to search the jungle floor. After an extensive search he found the helpless survivor, carried him to the rescue device, and signaled the helicopter to commence extraction. While Airman Talley and the survivor were being hoisted, a fusillade of fire raked the helicopter scoring more than forty hits, forcing the helicopter to exit the area, exposing both
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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° 24.257′ N, 86° 14.972′ 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 Charles D. King (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 Nacey Kent Jr (here, next to this marker); Award of Air Force Cross to Thomas A. Newman (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 Donald G. Smith
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 23, 2016
2. Wide view of AF Cross memorial plaques.
Regarding Award of Air Force Cross to Joel E. Talley. On July 2, 1968, A1C Joel E. Talley, a
37th ARRS pararescueman, entered the jungle at Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, to rescue an injured F-105 pilot. The pilot had landed in the midst of enemy forces that had immediately established gun positions to ensnare rescue helicopters. Three rescue attempts were thwarted, and a supporting attack aircraft was shot down. Finally, chopper Jolly Green 21 was able to penetrate the area and lowered Talley, who had to conduct an extensive search to locate the injured pilot. The PJ determined the pilot had a broken pelvis and decided he would have to direct the helicopter to their location. As soon as he strapped the pilot on the forest penetrator and gave the radio
signal to hoist away, enemy fire erupted again. When Talley and the pilot cleared the treetops, the chopper departed the area with him and the pilot dangling,
Photographed By USAF Photo
3. CMSgt Joel E. Talley
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 654 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 28, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
