MAJOR CHARLES L. DEIBERT (then Captain), Infantry, United States Army, 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company, 212th Combat Support Aviation Battalion, 17th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Deibert distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 September 1967 while serving as pilot of a reconnaissance aircraft on a mission near Con Thien. While flying a routine surveillance mission, Captain Deibert was called to support a Marine battalion engaged in battle with an estimated two-regiment North Vietnamese Army force. At the time he approached the beleaguered force, enemy fire was so intense that badly needed resupply and medical evacuation helicopters could not reach their landing zones. Despite the extreme dangers of being shot down by friendly artillery barrages and hostile anti-aircraft fire, Captain Deibert flew into the area. He made several low passes through a curtain of fire to locate enemy troop concentrations and routes of movement. After advising the Marines of the enemy situation, he called for tactical air support and continued making low level flights over enemy strongpoints. Ignoring warnings from the ground to leave the area, Captain Deibert marked targets for the strike planes. One of his marking rounds was so accurate that it detonated in the center of three North Vietnamese machine gun positions and caused heavy casualties to the gun crews. When air support for the operation arrived, he continued to face concentrated enemy fire to direct ravaging bombing runs on enemy positions. Captain Deibert then discovered a route to the helicopter landing zones that was in defilade to the murderous enemy barrage and directed the resupply and medical evacuation helicopters to safe landings near the besieged battalion. His fearless actions in the face of grave danger turned a possible defeat into a rout of the enemy and prevented numerous casualties to the Marines. Captain Deibert’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Major Deibert, a LIFE MEMBER, resides in Oregon. He joined the Legion of Valor in 1996 and was the National Commander 2001-2002. In May 2003, the Secretary of the Army, Thomas E. White, appointed Mr. Deibert to the position of The Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (C.A.S.A.) for the state of Oregon.