THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY Washington

Presidential Unit Citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to

HELICOPTER SQUADRON ONE ( HU-1 )
for service as set forth in the following

CITATION :

" For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 3 July 1950 to 27 July 1953. Pioneering in the employment of helicopters under combat con- ditions, Helicopter Squadron ONE achieved a brilliant record while participating in every battle against the enemy throughout this period. Obliged to develop it's own tactics and operational pro- cedures, this resourceful and intrepid squadron spotted and directed naval gunfire in actual combat; spotted and destroyed enemy mines; effected the rescue of 429 persons, many of which rescues were carried out over hostile territory in the face of enemy fire; trans- ported personnel and prodigious amounts of mail and material at sea; relieved destroyers of daylight plane guard duties; and main- tained ninety-five percent availability for assigned missions. The courage, ingenuity inspiring teamwork of the officers and men of Helicopter Squadron ONE were a contributing factor in the success of friendly forces in Korea and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. "

For the President,

signed C.S. Thomas

Secretary of the Navy

( Charles S. Thomas was SecNav 3 May 1954 to 1 April 1957 )

FOR RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE

MEDAL of HONOR

John Kelvin Koelsch

Lieutenant, United States Navy

Born in London, England, December 22, 1924, he graduated from Princeton and was appointed a Naval Aviator in 1944. In 1950 he joined the crew of the USS Princeton and was reported missing in action in Korea on July 3, 1951 while on a rescue mission in that country. It was later learned that he had died while a prisoner of war on October 16, 1951.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor and his citation, in part, reads:

"For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Navy helicopter rescue unit. Although darkness was rapidly approaching when information was received that a Marine aviator had been shot down and was trapped by the enemy in mountainous terrain deep in hostile territory, he voluntarily flew a helicopter to the reported position of the downed airman in an attempt to effect a rescue. With an almost solid overcast concealing everything below the mountain peaks, he descended in his unarmed and vulnerable helicopter without the accompanying fighter escort to an extremely low altitude beneath the cloud level and began a systematic search. Despite the increasingly intense enemyfire, which struck his helicopter on one occasion, he persisted in his mission until he succeded in locating the downed pilot, who was suffering from serious burns on his arms and legs. While the victim was being hoisted into the aircraft, it was struck again by an accurate burst of hostile fire and crashed into the side of a mountain. Quickly extricating his crewmen and the avitor from the wreckage, he led them from the vicinity in an effort to escape from hostile troops, evading the enemy for nine days and rendering such medical attention as possible to his severely burned companion until all were captured. Lieutenant (jg) Koelsch steadfastly refused to aid his captors in any manner and served to inspire his fellow prisoners by his fortitude and consideration for others. His great personal valor and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout sustain and enhance the finest tradition of the United States Naval Service."

His body was eventually returned to the United States and was buried in Section 30 of Arlington National Cemetery.