Stephen Wesley Pless was born Stephen Pollard in Newnan, Georgia, on September 6, 1939. After his mother’s marriage to Berlin Pless, he changed his surname to Pless.
Major Pless died on July 20, 1969, the same day that Apollo 11 landed on the moon. He was riding his motorcycle through Pensacola, Florida, and failed to see that the drawbridge he was on had opened. Tragically, he died when he fell from the bridge span.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a helicopter gunship pilot attached to Marine Observation Squadron 6 in action against enemy forces.
During an escort mission Maj. Pless monitored an emergency call that 4 American soldiers stranded on a nearby beach were being overwhelmed by a large Viet Cong force. Maj. Pless flew to the scene and found 30 to 50 enemy soldiers in the open. Some of the enemy were bayoneting and beating the downed Americans.
Maj. Pless displayed exceptional airmanship as he launched a devastating attack against the enemy force, killing or wounding many of the enemy and driving the remainder back into a treeline. His rocket and machinegun attacks were made at such low levels that the aircraft flew through debris created by explosions from its rockets.
Seeing 1 of the wounded soldiers gesture for assistance, he maneuvered his helicopter into a position between the wounded men and the enemy, providing a shield which permitted his crew to retrieve the wounded. During the rescue the enemy directed intense fire at the helicopter and rushed the aircraft again and again, closing to within a few feet before being beaten back.
When the wounded men were aboard, Maj. Pless maneuvered the helicopter out to sea. Before it became safely airborne, the overloaded aircraft settled 4 times into the water. Displaying superb airmanship, he finally got the helicopter aloft. Major Pless’ extraordinary heroism coupled with his outstanding flying skill prevented the annihilation of the tiny force.
His courageous actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
Stephen Wesley Pless enlisted in the reserves in 1956 while attending Georgia Military Academy. He received his commission in September 1959. After graduating from flight training school in April 1960, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and designated a naval aviator.
Major Pless and his crew were flying an escort mission when they received a call for help. They responded, and because of Major Pless’s actions during the rescue, he was recognized with the Medal of Honor. His crew, consisting of Rupert Fairfield, Leroy Poulson, and John Phelps, were each awarded the Navy Cross. This event and recognition made them the most highly decorated helicopter crew of the Vietnam War.
Major Pless received his Medal of Honor in a ceremony that included Lieutenant Colonel Joe Jackson, also from Newnan, Georgia.
After returning from Vietnam, Pless was promoted to Major while serving as an administrative assistant at the Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in 1967.
Shown here are the Insignia and Medals Major Stephen Wesley Pless earned during his career. They include:
USMC Parachuist Insignia
Naval Aviation Wings
The United States Navy honored Major Pless by naming a Maritime Prepositioning ship after him, and the United States Marine Corps honored him by naming the Headquarters Building at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, after him. Dedicated in the 1970s, the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory in Newnan, Georgia, honors both of the town’s Medal of Honor recipients.
A Sgt. Matej Kocak-class cargo ship of the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command is named after him, USNS Major Stephen W. Pless (T-AK-3007).
The Huey helicopter Pless flew during his Medal of Honor mission is displayed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.
The Collings Foundation, based in Stow, Massachusetts, is the proud owner and operator of a VMO-6 UH-1E Huey helicopter that Pless flew during combat. This aircraft happens to be a sister ship to the MOH aircraft on display at Quantico. The Huey is stationed in Houston, Texas, and is part of the Collings Foundation Vietnam Memorial Flight fleet. It is frequently flown at airshows and other special events. In 2012, Major Pless was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.
A mess hall aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii was named in his honor.
