CHARLES L. CANFIELD JR.

Honor: Air Medal with “V” Device for Valor

Citation: For heroism on April 8, 1968, while engaged in aerial flight in connection with military operations against a hostile force serving as the aircraft commander of a UH-1 helicopter, Warrant Officer Canfield distinguished himself during an airmobile operation lifting friendly elements into landing zones west of Quang Ngai. He received word that an OH-23 helicopter had been shot down just north of the operations area. Unhesitatingly he flew his ship to the vicinity of the crash to ascertain the location of survivors and to cover the rescue attempt. Making low level passes, he spotted and reported the location of the surviving crewman and noted likely locations of enemy. Making continuous passes, his ship poured forth an amazingly heavy volume of fire, keeping the enemy pinned down and allowing the rescue ship to extract the seriously wounded crewman. He continued his close-in support and cover until the rescue ship had departed the area. His professional skill and personal courage contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission.

Age: 69

Residence: Born in Youngstown, he moved to California as an infant and returned in 2003 to the Ohio Century Farm in Newton Township founded by his grandfather, Lyle Canfield, in 1899, and where Charles’ father, a World War II Navy veteran, lived.

Education: High school and college in California.

Employment: Retired broker/owner of two Century Real Estate agencies in California.

Family: Divorced; son, Scott Canfield of Huntington Beach, Calif.; parents, father, Charles Canfield Sr., deceased, and mother, Ollamae Canfield, formerly of Struthers now in California.

Military: Army, drafted in January 1966, discharged as Chief Warrant Officer in April 1970. He served in Vietnam from Nov. 12, 1967, to June 30, 1968, as a UH-1 Bell Helicopter gunship pilot in the 176th Assault Helicopter Co., Americal Division, Chu Lai south of Da Nang.

Other decorations: Air Medal with 17 Oak Leaf Clusters, two for Valor, Vietnam Cross of Galantry, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Aviation Badge, National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Veterans organizations: Newton Falls VFW, Lake Milton American Legion, Newton Falls AMVETS, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.

Source: Charles L. Canfield Jr.