Andre Cavaro Lucas

Andre Cavaro Lucas, a lieutenant colonel in the infantry, received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Fire Support Base Ripcord in the Republic of Vietnam from 1 to 23 July 1970. During the defense of the Allied position, he performed numerous acts of extraordinary valor, including flying in a helicopter at tree top level above an entrenched enemy to direct the fire of one of his companies for over three hours despite heavy damage to the aircraft. He remained in an exposed position until the company exhausted its supply of grenades, then transferred to another helicopter, dropped critically needed grenades to the troops, and prevented the company from being encircled and destroyed. On another occasion, he attempted to rescue a crewman trapped in a burning helicopter, ordered the rescue party to safety as the flames spread, then continued the rescue effort amid concentrated enemy mortar fire, intense heat, and exploding ammunition until the aircraft was completely engulfed in flames. He was mortally wounded while directing the successful withdrawal of his battalion.

Highland Falls, New York · United States