    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 116-317
    116th Congress

    An Act

    To designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles
    Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''. <>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled,
    SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHARLES S. KETTLES
    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    MEDICAL CENTER.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
    (1) Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles was born in
    Ypsilanti, Michigan, on January 9, 1930.
    (2) Lieutenant Colonel Kettles was drafted to the Army at
    age 21, and after attending Officer Candidate School, earned his
    commission as an armor officer in the United States Army Reserve
    on February 28, 1953.
    (3) Lieutenant Colonel Kettles graduated from the Army
    Aviation School in 1953 before serving active duty tours in
    South Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
    (4) Lieutenant Colonel Kettles volunteered for active duty
    in 1963 when the United States was engaged in the Vietnam War.
    (5) Some of the awards and decorations earned by Lieutenant
    Colonel Kettles include the following:
    (A) The Medal of Honor.
    (B) The Distinguished Service Cross.
    (C) The Legion of Merit.
    (D) The Distinguished Flying Cross.
    (E) The Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
    (F) The Air Medal with numeral 27.
    (G) The Korean Service Medal.
    (H) The Vietnam Service Medal with one silver
    service star and one bronze service star.
    (I) The Master Aviator Badge.
    (6) The Medal of Honor citation for Lieutenant Colonel
    Kettles states, ``Major Charles S. Kettles distinguished himself
    by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Flight
    Commander, 176th Aviation Company (Airmobile) (Light), 14th
    Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division near Duc Pho,
    Republic of Vietnam. On 15 May 1967, Major Kettles, upon
    learning that an airborne infantry unit had suffered casualties
    during an intense firefight with the enemy, immediately
    volunteered to lead a flight of six UH-1D helicopters to carry
    reinforcements to the embattled force and to evacuate wounded

    [[Page 5067]]

    personnel. Enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire
    raked the landing zone, inflicting heavy damage to the
    helicopters; however, Major Kettles refused to depart until all
    helicopters were loaded to capacity. He then returned to the
    battlefield, with full knowledge of the intense enemy fire
    awaiting his arrival, to bring more reinforcements, landing in
    the midst of enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire that
    seriously wounded his gunner and severely damaged his aircraft.
    Upon departing, Major Kettles was advised by another helicopter
    crew that he had fuel streaming out of his aircraft. Despite the
    risk posed by the leaking fuel, he nursed the damaged aircraft
    back to base. Later that day, the Infantry Battalion Commander
    requested immediate, emergency extraction of the remaining 40
    troops, including four members of Major Kettles' unit who were
    stranded when their helicopter was destroyed by enemy fire. With
    only one flyable UH-1 helicopter remaining, Major Kettles
    volunteered to return to the deadly landing zone for a third
    time, leading a flight of six evacuation helicopters, five of
    which were from the 161st Aviation Company. During the
    extraction, Major Kettles was informed by the last helicopter
    that all personnel were onboard, and departed the landing zone
    accordingly. Army gunships supporting the evacuation also
    departed the area. Once airborne, Major Kettles was advised that
    eight troops had been unable to reach the evacuation helicopters
    due to the intense enemy fire. With complete disregard for his
    own safety, Major Kettles passed the lead to another helicopter
    and returned to the landing zone to rescue the remaining troops.
    Without gunship, artillery, or tactical aircraft support, the
    enemy concentrated all firepower on his lone aircraft, which was
    immediately damaged by a mortar round that shattered both front
    windshields and the chin bubble and was further raked by small
    arms and machine gun fire. Despite the intense enemy fire, Major
    Kettles maintained control of the aircraft and situation,
    allowing time for the remaining eight soldiers to board the
    aircraft. In spite of the severe damage to his helicopter, Major
    Kettles once more skillfully guided his heavily damaged aircraft
    to safety. Without his courageous actions and superior flying
    skills, the last group of soldiers and his crew would never have
    made it off the battlefield. Major Kettles' selfless acts of
    repeated valor and determination are in keeping with the highest
    traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon
    himself and the United States Army.''.

    (b) Designation.--The medical center of the Department of Veterans
    Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, shall after the date of the enactment of
    this Act be known and designated as the ``Lieutenant Colonel Charles S.
    Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' or the
    ``Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center''.
    (c) Reference.--Any reference in any law, regulation, map, document,
    paper, or other record of the United States to the medical center
    referred to in subsection (b) shall be considered to be a

    [[Page 5068]]

    reference to the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of
    Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

    Approved January 5, 2021.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 7347:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 166 (2020):
    Sept. 23, considered and passed House.
    Dec. 10, considered and passed Senate.