THOMAS M. REEVES, Captain, Transportation Corps, United States Army, 170th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Reeves distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 and 22 March 1967 as a helicopter pilot supporting ground forces during a pitched battle with the enemy in Kontum Province. When the fight began, he volunteered to fly the ground unit’s operations officer into the battle site. Despite intense enemy machine gun and automatic weapons fire, he delivered the officer, enabling the battalion command group to quickly assume control of a difficult situation on the ground. Soon after, he volunteered to fly reinforcements to a company which was heavily engaged with the enemy. Captain Reeves deftly maneuvered his aircraft into the tiny landing zone, overcoming dense foliage, limited visibility, and intense enemy fire to safely deliver the badly needed replacements. The battle continued, and he made repeated trips into the area to provide the infantry with critically needed ammunition, medical personnel and supplies. Captain Reeves then acted as an aerial radio relay for four ground companies, continually flying at low level through a friendly and enemy crossfire. He also made repeated trips into the area to land and pick up critically wounded men who required immediate evacuation. During the course of these evacuations, the enemy unleashed intense mortar attacks on his stationary craft. Captain Reeves flew to an altitude where he could observe the location of the mortar position, and then directed a helicopter gunship in an attack on it. The weapon was silenced and the evacuation was successfully completed. Captain Reeves’ 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.

COL Reeves joined the L.O.V. in 1987 and resides in Tennessee.