Rank: Warrant Officer
Unit: Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 100E – Attack Helicopter Pilot
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Army Aviator Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: AH-1G, Tail # 67-015861, Co-pilot
Flight class 69-7, Fort Wolters, Texas
Enlisted by: Reserve
Date of birth: 17-Sep-1949
Hometown: Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 14-May-1968
Start of tour: 10-Aug-1969
Incident date: 5-Sep-1969
Date of casualty: 5-Sep-1969
Age at death: 19
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Helicopter Crash — Crew (MC). Aircraft loss, crash not at sea.
Terrance Edward Ledden was killed while co-pilot of a military aircraft on a combat operation when the aircraft was fired upon by hostile ground forces. The aircraft crashed and burned. / Co-pilot of AH-1G on combat operation. Aircraft received hostile ground fire and crashed and burned.
Two Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
CPT Fred Orr Jackson Jr
WO Terrance Edward Ledden
Location of fatality: Binh Long, South Vietnam, XU 709 112
Place of interment: Estabrooks Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
POSTHUMOUS
WARRANT OFFICER WO1 TERRANCE EDWARD LEDDEN
5 SEPTEMBER 1969
AIR CAVALRY TROOP
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Warrant Officer Ledden distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty on 5 September 1969, while serving as a Pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Warrant Officer Ledden was piloting a Cobra gunship in the vicinity of Loc Ninh conducting a visual reconnaissance mission. The observation helicopter suddenly came under a heavy barrage of enemy ground fire which inflicted considerable damage on the aircraft and seriously wounded the pilot. Warrant Officer Ledden immediately set his ship for a run on the enemy positions. Before he could neutralize the enemy force, Warrant Officer Ledden broke contact and followed the damaged helicopter back to Quan Loi. He assisted the aircraft commander in maintaining radio contact with the injured crew and in notifying the tower and medical personnel at the field, alerting them to the situation. When the helicopter landed safely, Warrant Officer Ledden volunteered to return with the ship and a second observation helicopter to the contact area. Upon reaching the vicinity, he kept close watch on the observation helicopter directing it so as not to expose it to hostile fire. Suddenly, the Cobra gunship received Warrant Officer Ledden remained calm and continued radio contact while turning the ship around. As he was heading back to a base, the ship erupted into flames and crashed, killing him. Warrant Officer Ledden’s courageous actions and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 5497 (October 20, 1967)