Press Release
☷National Guard Chief Presents Silver Star to Vietnam Veteran
National Guard ( By Press Release office)
Mar 10,2024
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Wayne , Pennsylvania - After nearly 57 years , retired Army Capt . Larry Liss finally received the Silver Star medal for rescuing over 80 U . S . and South Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War . Liss originally got a Distinguished Flying Cross , but his brother Art Liss and some members of Pennsylvania ' s congressional delegation worked to upgrade it to a Silver Star . The ceremony took place at Valley Forge Military Academy on March 5 , where Liss expressed that he accepted the award on behalf of all helicopter pilots who have flown combat missions . He emphasized the challenges of being exposed in a helicopter and the lack of understanding about the realities of flying in combat . Gen . Daniel Hokanson , chief of the National Guard Bureau , presented Liss with the Silver Star , acknowledging its significance as the third - highest military honor for valor in combat . Hokanson described Liss ' actions as displaying gallantry in action , highlighting his bravery in rescuing 86 troops during a dangerous firefight . Hokanson commended Liss for his courage and sacrifice , underscoring the importance of recognizing heroes from a war that is often forgotten . Liss ' heroic actions took place on May 4 , 1967 , when he and his copilot , Tom Baca , flew to Cau Song Be to assist a U . S . special operations outpost under attack . They made multiple trips , using their helicopter to clear a landing zone and save numerous soldiers . Throughout the rescue , Liss and Baca faced great risks , with Liss even getting out of the helicopter to help pull soldiers in while returning fire . By the end of their mission , the helicopter was barely operational . The "Rescue at Cau Song Be" mission led to Liss and Baca getting the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor . Liss , while receiving the Silver Star , gave a shoutout to Baca , who passed away in 2020 . Liss praised Baca as an amazing pilot and credited him for saving his life during the mission . Liss mentioned that there were many other brave individuals like Baca during the Vietnam War who didn ' t get the recognition they deserved . Liss retired as a captain in 1970 after flying 650 combat missions and accumulating 4 , 500 flight hours . Throughout his career , Liss also received a Bronze Star , three Purple Hearts , a Valorous Unit Award , and two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry .
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