for service as set forth in the following:
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed
conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic
of Vietnam. On 13 April 1972, Petty Officer Kiet participated in an unprecedented
recovery operation for a downed United States aviator behind enemy lines in Quang Tri
Province, Republic of Vietnam. He courageously volunteered to accompany a United
States SEAL Advisor in an extremely hazardous attempt to reach the aviator, who was
physically unable to move toward friendly positions. Using a sampan and traveling
throughout the night, they silently make their way deep into enemy territory, past
numerous major enemy positions, locating the pilot at dawn. Once, after being
spotted by a North Vietnamese patrol, he calmly continued to keep the enemy confused as
the small party successfully evaded the patrol. Later, they were suddenly taken
under heavy machinegun fire. Thinking first of the pilot, he quickly pulled the
sampan to safety behind a bank and camouflaged it while air strikes were called on the
enemy position. Due to Petty Officer Kiet's coolness under extremely dangerous
conditions and his outstanding courage and professionalism, an American aviator was
recovered after an eleven-day ordeal behind enemy lines. His self-discipline,
personal courage, and dynamic fighting spirit were an inspiration to all; thereby
reflecting great credit upon himself and the Naval Service.
