Robert Louis Horst
Chief Warrant Officer 2, U.S. Army

Robert Louis Horst was born on 20 June 1950 in Saint Louis, MO, the son of Claiborne Alvin and June Horst.

On 7 April 1972, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Louis Horst was serving with the 283rd Medical Detachment, 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), 68th Medical Group, USARV Medical Command, in South Vietnam.

On that day, CW2 Horst was the Aircraft Commander of an unarmed medical evacuation helicopter that was attempting to evacuate 3 American advisors and 1 Army of the Republic of Vietnam captain after their convoy had been ambushed by an estimated battalion of highly-trained North Vietnamese troops north of the city of An Loc, Republic of Vietnam, during the Siege of An Loc. CW2 Horst heard about the stranded, critically-wounded Americans that were completely surrounded by the North Vietnamese ground element, as he flew out to evacuate an American medic that had been wounded while his crew unsuccessfully attempted to extract the besieged Americans. After landing at the staging area of Song Be, CW2 Horst received a briefing during which he was informed that the enemy was in possession of numerous anti-aircraft weapons, and the continuous air strikes delivered to the enemy element had been to no avail in slowing the fire directed on any and all aircraft attempting to fly in the vicinity. CW2 Horst elected to go to the site and attempt a rescue. Although 3 attempts had already been made to extract the wounded personnel, they were repulsed by the hail of enemy fire. At the site, the enemy troops began to make bold advances on the American position despite heavy rocket attacks by the helicopter gunships. Sensing that any further delay might cost the lives of the wounded on the ground, CW2 Horst began his approach and landed on the highway. When he did not immediately see the wounded Americans, he hovered down the highway with heavy gunfire directed at him from all positions around the aircraft. It was during this attempt to locate the survivors, that CW2 Horst was struck and killed by enemy fire; however, the helicopter did not crash. Chief Warrant Officer Horst's selfless actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Air Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
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 Chief Warrant Officer Robert Louis Horst, United States Army (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 7 April 1972 while serving as the Aircraft Commander of an unarmed medical evacuation helicopter in the 283d Medical Detachment, while attempting to evacuate three American advisors and one Army of the Republic of Vietnam captain after their convoy had been ambushed by an estimated battalion of highly trained North Vietnamese troops north of the city of An Loc, Republic of Vietnam. Chief Warrant Officer Horst heard about the stranded, critically-wounded Americans, who at the time were completely surrounded by the North Vietnamese ground element, as he flew out to evacuate an American medic who had been wounded while his crew unsuccessfully attempted to extract the besieged Americans. After landing at the staging area of Song Be, chief Warrant Officer Horst received a briefing during which he was informed that the enemy was in possession of numerous anti-aircraft weapons, and the continuous air strikes delivered to the enemy element had been to no avail in slaking the withering fire directed on any and all aircraft attempting to fly in the vicinity. Chief Warrant Officer Horst demonstrating indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, elected to go to the site and attempt a rescue. Although three attempts had been previously made to extract the wounded personnel, they had all been repulsed by the deadly hail of enemy fire. At the site the enemy troops began to make bold advances on the American position despite heavy rocket attacks by the helicopter gunships. Chief Warrant Officer Horst sensing that any further delay might cost the lives of the wounded on the ground, began his approach and landed on the highway. When he did not immediately see the wounded Americans, he hovered down the highway amidst withering fire directed at him from all positions around the aircraft. It was during this heroic and humane attempt to locate the survivors, that chief Warrant Officer Horst was struck and killed by enemy fire. Chief Warrant Officer Horst's feats of gallantry were an inspiration to all who observed and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 40 (October 27, 1972)

Honors

The name Robert L Horst is located on Panel 2W Line 131 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Louis Horst is buried at the Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, Greene County, MO, in Plot: 33, 0, 219.

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