Raymond M. Clausen Jr.

He crossed a minefield six times to carry Marines to safety.

Raymond Michael Clausen Jr. was born in New Orleans on 14 October 1947. After high school and a brief period at college, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in March 1966 and transferred to the regular Marines that May. He trained as a helicopter mechanic before joining aviation units in North Carolina.

Clausen went to Vietnam in December 1967. His first tour included service with maintenance and helicopter squadrons of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. After a short return to the United States, he began another tour in November 1969 with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263.

On 31 January 1970 his CH-46 crew was sent to extract Marines who had entered a minefield while attacking enemy positions. Eleven men were wounded and one was dead; the survivors were afraid to move. Clausen helped guide the helicopter into an area already cleared by explosions and climbed out despite enemy fire.

He repeatedly crossed the dangerous ground to help carry casualties aboard. During one trip a further mine exploded, killing a corpsman and wounding others. Clausen continued working and made six trips before the helicopter lifted away with the trapped Marines. His determination to leave no one behind earned the Medal of Honor.

Clausen returned to the United States and left active duty in August 1970. President Richard Nixon presented his medal at the White House on 15 June 1971. He settled in Louisiana and remained connected with former Marine helicopter crews and veterans' events. He married Lois, with whom he shared almost twenty-eight years of married life.

He died in Dallas on 30 May 2004 after a prolonged illness and was buried with military honours at Ponchatoula Cemetery, Louisiana. The helicopter associated with his rescue later became a museum aircraft.