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Lieutenant Lassen, pilot of a search and rescue helicopter, launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of two downed aviators. He flew his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although under enemy fire, he landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach him. With the aid of flare illumination he then successfully accomplished a hover between two trees at the survivors' position. Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended and the helicopter collided with a tree. Righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lieutenant Lassen remained in the area. After another unsuccessful rescue attempt, and with fuel low and his aircraft damaged, he commenced another approach in the face of continuing enemy opposition. Fully aware of the dangers in revealing his position to the enemy, he turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only five minutes of flight remaining, landed safely. |
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