Patrick Lawrence Haley
Captain, U.S. Army

Patrick Lawrence Haley graduated from La Salle High School with the Class of 1960 and then graduated from Notre Dame University, South Bend, IN, with the Class of 1964.

He entered the U.S. Army on 10 October 1964.

On 2 October 1966, Captain Patrick Lawrence Haley was serving with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, CPT Haley was pilot of an armed command helicopter during an aerial attack on Viet Cong forces escaping the Ngot Bay area. CPT Haley flew for one hour at very low altitudes in an attempt to locate and fix hostile targets. He remained at the most critical points of combat, never allowing the enemy to pin down friendly ground elements. When a friendly squad received intense Viet Cong fire and refused to retreat because of a casualty lying in an exposed position, CPT Hale flew between the opposing forces to divert the hostile barrage. Although his ammunition was expended, he persuaded the friendly element to withdraw, then landed and picked up the wounded man. While on the ground, his helicopter was severely damaged by enemy fire but he was able to fly the casualty 150 meters to a safe zone. His actions were highly instrumental in killing 320 Viet Cong and the saving of many American lives. CPT Haley's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 18 April 1967, Captain Haley was killed in action when his helicopter was hit by hostile small arms ground fire causing the aircraft to crash and burn.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 4
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Army Aviator Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Armor), [then First Lieutenant] Patrick Lawrence Haley (ASN: 0-5531115), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Captain Haley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 October 1966 while serving as pilot of an armed command helicopter during an aerial attack on Viet Cong forces escaping the Ngot Bay area. Completely disregarding intense hostile fire, Captain Haley flew for one hour at very low altitudes in an attempt to locate and fix hostile targets. He dauntlessly remained at the most critical points of combat, never permitting the enemy to pin down friendly ground elements. When a friendly squad received intense Viet Cong fire and refused to retreat because of a casualty lying in an exposed position, Captain Hale unhesitatingly flew between the opposing forces to divert the hostile barrage. Although his ammunition was expended, he persuaded the friendly element to withdraw, then landed and picked up the wounded man. His helicopter was severely damaged by enemy fire while on the ground, but he was able to fly the casualty 150 meters to a safe zone. His heroic actions were highly instrumental in killing 320 Viet Cong and the saving of many American lives. Captain Haley's extraordinary heroism and 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.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2282 (May 21, 1967)

Honors

The name Patrick L Haley is located on Panel 18E Line 45 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Patrick Lawrence Haley is buried at Saint Vincent Cemetery in La Salle, LaSalle County, IL.

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