How a Korean War helicopter pilot made Medal of Honor history

In the course of the Korean Conflict, Lt. j.g. John Koelsch, outfitted with a promising new helicopter, devoted his service to rescuing downed pilots. Koelsch’s most notable sortie finally price him his life, however by his actions, the pilot he risked his life to save lots of survived.

Koelsch was born on Dec. 22, 1923, in Chelsea, England, the place his father labored as a world banker in London. In 1924, Koelsch and his mother and father returned to New York and settled in Briarcliff Manor in 1928.

After enrolling at Princeton College in September 1941, Koelsch enlisted within the U.S. Navy Reserve on Sept. 14, 1942, and certified as an airman with an ensign’s fee on Oct. 16, 1944.

Koelsch served as a torpedo bomber pilot within the final months of World Conflict II and was promoted to lieutenant junior grade on Aug. 1, 1946. He then returned to Princeton to finish his schooling in 1949.

Up till then, Koelsch had envisioned a profession in legislation, however when North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, he transferred to the common Navy. After coaching within the new Sikorsky HO3S-1 helicopter, he was assigned in August 1950 to naval utility squadron UH-1 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, and from there to the plane provider Princeton off the Korean coast.

When Koelsch’s unit accomplished its tour of responsibility, he requested to stay for an additional one, declaring that rescuing downed pilots as his mission. He then joined UH-2, which operated from Q-009, the previous touchdown ship tank LST-488 transformed to a helicopter help ship.

“He was at all times prepared for any rescue mission, regardless of how harmful, and he let this be recognized,” a fellow officer mentioned. “If something occurred, he needed to be part of it.”

Throughout his time on helicopters, Koelsch designed a tool to expedite recovering downed airmen from freezing winter circumstances. He acquired an opportunity to make use of his “horse collar” floating sling hoist on June 22, 1951, when he and Aviation Machinist’s Mate third Class George Neal rescued Ensign Marvin Nelson Jr. from Wonsan harbor after North Korean antiaircraft hearth compelled him to bail out of his Vought F4U-5 fighter.

On July 3, Q-009 acquired a report that Capt. James Wilkins of a Marine fighter squadron went lacking whereas on a four-plane armed reconnaissance mission. Wilkins’ F4U-4B fighter was hit by North Korean antiaircraft hearth, forcing him to bail out over the coast.

It was late, and darkness would quickly be falling over what have been already overcast circumstances, however with out hesitation, Koelsch and Neal set out of their helicopter, decided to seek out and get better the misplaced Marine.

Despite the poor visibility and at the very least one enemy hit to their helo, Koelsch and Neal positioned Wilkins, severely burned and with a twisted knee, close to Yondong in what the latter later referred to as “the best show of guts I’ve ever seen.”

The terrain was too mountainous for a touchdown. Utilizing his “horse collar” to hoist up Wilkins, Koelsch was hovering over Wilkins when his helicopter was struck a number of extra instances and crashed right into a mountain.

Carrying Wilkins, Koelsch and Neal managed to evade enemy forces for 9 days earlier than they have been captured at a coastal village. As they have been being marched by city, Koelsch communicated with one in every of their captors, mentioning Wilson’s accidents and convincing him to separate Wilson from the trio for medical remedy.

Koelsch’s remedy, nevertheless, could be totally different. He succumbed to dysentery and malnutrition on Oct. 16, 1951.

However the airman Koelsch had died making an attempt to save lots of finally survived to make it residence. Wilkins and Neal have been subsequently awarded the Prisoner of Conflict Medal after they have been launched. Neal additionally obtained the Navy Cross for his actions in rescuing Wilkins.

Wilkins and Neal testified, alongside different American prisoners, to Koelsch’s consideration and helpfulness towards his fellow prisoners of struggle. Koelsch was famous as uncooperative whereas underneath North Korean interrogation, even whereas his well being was deteriorating underneath isolation and torture.

On Aug. 3, 1955, Koelsch’s mom obtained her son’s posthumous Medal of Honor — the primary awarded to a helicopter pilot.

Koelsch was interred in Arlington Nationwide Cemetery. In 1955, the Navy christened the destroyer escort Koelsch in his honor.