OCONTO COUNTY MILITARY SERVICE PAGE

PROFILES

Histories of The Individuals Who Served

David H. Cross

Vietnam - U. S. Marine Corps

Service: 1966 - 1970

David served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from June of 1966 to June of 1970 as Crew Chief, Medivac Unit. Serving during the Viet Nam War, David was awarded 3 Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Air Medal with 24 OLC, Navy Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Air Crew Insignia with 3, President Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and V. V. Cross of Galanty

In memory of David H. Cross (May, 1948 – March, 2014)

Sergeant David Cross served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from June of 1966 to June of 1970 as Crew Chief on UH46D and CH340 helicopters, Medivac Unit. Serving two tours during the Vietnam War, David was awarded 3 Purple Hears, Silver Star, Air Medal with 24 OLC, Navy Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Air Crew Insignia, President Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and V. V. Cross of Gallantry (awarded by Vietnam Government).

UH-46s could transfer up to 100 tons of cargo per hour between ships, using the Navy's "Vertical Replenishment" technique. The UH-46D featured General Electric T58-10 engines, cambered rotor blades, and a new control system which resulted in improved pilot visibility over the instrument console.

The Sikorsky H-34 (company designation S-58) is a piston-engined military helicopter that was originally designed by American aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky for the United States Navy for service in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role. It has seen extended use when adapted to turbine power by the British licensee as the Westland Wessex and Sikorsky as the later S-58T. Various H-34s served, mostly as medium transports, on every continent with the armed forces of twenty-five countries—from combat in Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and throughout Southeast Asia, in roles such as saving flood victims, recovering astronauts, fighting fires, and carrying presidents. As one of the last piston-powered helicopter designs before its replacement by turbine-powered types such as the UH-1 Huey and CH-46 Sea Knight, it would see a remarkably long run of 2,108 H-34s produced between 1953 and 1970.

Back to MilitaryProfiles Main Page

Back to Military Main Page