Rank: First Lieutenant
Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 1981 – Air Observation Pilot
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Valor and 13 Oak Leaf Clusters, 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: OH-6A, Tail # 67-16201, Pilot
Flight class: 68-518/68-32, Fort Wolters, Texas
Enlisted by: Reserve
Commission Source: Armor OCS Class 30-67 D1, Fort Knox, Kentucky
Date of birth: 26-Feb-1947
Hometown: Ft Knox, Kentucky
Marital status: Married to Olivia D. Powers
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 9-Nov-1966
Start of tour: 2-Jan-1969
Incident date: 2-May-1969
Date of casualty: 2-May-1969
Age at death: 22
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Helicopter Crash — Crew (MC). Aircraft loss, crash not at sea.
Edward Claus Powers was killed while pilot of a military aircraft on combat operation when the aircraft was hit by ground fire from a hostile force, crashed and burned. / Pilot of OH-6A aircraft on visual reconnaissance mission when aircraft received hostile ground fire. Aircraft crashed and burned.
Two Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
PFC Wavel Wayne Powell
1LT Edward Claus Powers
Location of fatality: Binh Duong, South Vietnam, XT 860 323
Place of interment: Fort Knox Post Cemetery, Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA
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AIR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
FIRST LIEUTENANT EDWARD CLAUS POWERS, ARMOR
27 APRIL 1969
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
First Lieutenant Powers distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight on 27 April 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Lieutenant Powers, who was flying the squadron commander’s aircraft, monitored a call for assistance from another of the unit’s aircraft. He immediately flew to the scene of what appeared to be a large enemy base camp. Although receiving a heavy concentration of enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Powers directed his aircraft in a number of low-level assaults over the hostile fortifications. Suddenly the helicopter received a hail of automatic weapons fire striking the instrument panel and the engine. In spite of the serious damage to the aircraft, he managed to pilot it back to the squadron’s headquarters. After the commander had disembarked, Lieutenant Powers volunteered to fly the aircraft to another base for repairs in order to minimize the time the aircraft would be out of commission. First Lieutenant Powers’ courage and dedication 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, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 1470 (13 June 1969)
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
POSTHUMOUS
FIRST LIEUTENANT EDWARD CLAUS POWERS, ARMOR
20 MARCH 1969
HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
First Lieutenant Powers distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 20 March 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while piloting the squadron commander’s aircraft during a fierce engagement between friendly elements and a large enemy force, Lieutenant Powers repeatedly directed the helicopter in low level passes over the contact area so that the squadron commander could pinpoint the hostile positions and direct the ground forces in their assault. When it became imperative that the squadron commander assume direct command of the round forces, Lieutenant Powers, unhesitatingly maneuvered his aircraft through the intense hostile automatic weapons fire into an extremely small and hazardous landing zone. When the commander had disembarked, Lieutenant Powers had a seriously wounded soldier loaded on board and, again flying through a deluge of enemy fire, flew him to a nearby medical facility. After returning to the scene of the engagement, Lieutenant Powers again landed his helicopter in an extremely small landing zone next to a burning tank and, in spite of the possibility of an explosion, waited until the squadron commander, who had himself become a casualty, was loaded on board. Lieutenant Powers then quickly and safely evacuated the wounded officer. First Lieutenant Powers’ outstanding courage and selfless concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers 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, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 1469 (13 June 1969)