[116th Congress Public Law 317]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 5065]]
[[Page 134 STAT. 5066]]
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''. <<NOTE: Jan. 5,
2021 - [H.R. 7347]>>
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 134 STAT. 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 134 STAT. 5068]]
reference to the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Approved January 5, 2021.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 7347:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 166 (2020):
Sept. 23, considered and passed House.
Dec. 10, considered and passed Senate.
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