Major
Stephen W. Pless, Medal of Honor recipient who survived 780 combat
helicopter missions in Vietnam, was killed, July 20, 1969, when his
motorcycle plunged off an open drawbridge into Santa Rosa Sound which
separates Pensacola from Pensacola Beach, Florida.
Major
Pless was the 18th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism in
Vietnam during August 1967. It was presented to him by President Lyndon B.
Johnson in ceremonies held at the White House, January 16, 1969.
Stephen
Wesley Pless was born September 6, 1939, in Newnan, Georgia. He attended
Decatur High School at Decatur, Georgia, and graduated from Georgia
Military Academy, College Park, Georgia, in 1957.
While
at Georgia Military Academy, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve,
September 6, 1956, and served with the 1st Motor Transport Battalion,
USMCR, Atlanta, Georgia. He received recruit training and advanced combat
training at Parris Island, South Carolina, graduating in October 1957. He
then served as an Artillery Surveyor, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine
Division, until September, 1958.
While
attending flight training at Pensacola, Florida, he was commissioned a
Marine Corps second lieutenant, September 16, 1959. He was promoted to
first lieutenant, March 16, 1960, and designated a Naval aviator upon
graduation from flight training April 20, 1960.
Lieutenant Pless next served successively as squadron pilot with HMR(L)-262,
Marine Aircraft Group 26, at New River, North Carolina; with HMR(L)-264
aboard the USS Boxer; with HMR(L)-264 aboard the USS Wasp, again with
HMR(L)-262, Marine Aircraft Group 26, at New River; as Assistant
Administrative Officer of HMR(L)-262 aboard the USS Shadwell; and as
Squadron Adjutant, HMM-162, Marine Aircraft Group 26, at New River.
Ordered
to the Far East in June, 1962, he saw duty as Assistant Administrative
Officer of HMM-162, MAG-16, in Thailand, and at Da Nang, in the Republic
of Vietnam.
Upon
his return to the United States in June 1963, he reported to the Naval Air
Station, Pensacola, Florida, and served as basic flight instructor, VT-1,
and later as Officer in Charge, Aviation Officer Candidate School. He was
promoted to captain, July 1, 1964.
After
his detachment in April, 1966, Captain Pless was assigned duty as Brigade
Platoon Commander, 1st ANGLICO, Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe, Hawaii.
In August, 1966, he became Officer in Charge, ROK Detachment, and later
Brigade Air Officer, 1st Anglican, Sub-Unit 1, with the 2d Brigade Korean
Marine Corps, at Chu Lai, in the Republic of Vietnam. For his service in
this capacity, he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and the Korean Order of
Military Merit. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star Medal,
the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart for wounds received, and
32 Air Medals for his service as Assistant Operations Officer, VMO-6,
Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of
Vietnam, from March 20, 1967 until September 22, 1967.
Upon
his return to the United States, he assumed duties as Administrative
Assistant, Officer Candidate School, Naval Air Station, Pensacola,
Florida. While serving in that capacity, he was promoted to major,
November 7, 1967. He was killed as a result of a motorcycle accident, July
20, 1969.
Major
Pless was awarded the AVCO-Aviation/Space Writers Association Helicopter
Heroism award for his heroic rescue of three wounded American soldiers in
Vietnam on August 19, 1967, the action for which he received the Medal of
Honor.
A
complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor;
the Silver Star Medal; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Bronze Star
Medal; the Air Medal with seven Silver Stars and two Gold Stars in lieu of
second through 38 awards; the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”; the
Purple Heart; the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; the National Defense
Service Medal; the Korean Order of Military Merit; the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam
Campaign Medal.
Major
Pless was survived by his wife, the former Jo Ann Smith of Summerdale,
Alabama and three children [a fourth child was born two months after
Pless's demise], his father, Mr. Travis B. Pollard of Atlanta,
Georgia; his mother, Mrs. Nancy Pless of Miami Beach, Florida; and one
brother.
Major
Stephen W. Pless, Medal of Honor recipient who survived 780 combat
helicopter missions in Vietnam, was killed, July 20, 1969, when his
motorcycle plunged off an open drawbridge into Santa Rosa Sound which
separates Pensacola from Pensacola Beach, Florida.
.
Honor Guard - Graveside, Pensacola, Florida
Major Stephen W. Pless, USMC
Medal of Honor Recipient
1939-1969
Photo courtesy of Pless
archive
Click for larger view
