Pat Chewning, is there a USS Enterprise connection?

[Steve Helmick]

Pat...Are you, by chance, related to the Lt. Chewning in the famous picture climbing onto the wing of a burning Grumman Wildcat on the USS Enterprise to rescue the pilot? I just saw the picture for the umpteenth time and had to ask.  Steve

[Pat Chewning]

No not that one.

But my father did fly A4's in Vietnam from the Ranger.    https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/305574


Milton J. Chewning
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 2

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Division: U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)
GENERAL ORDERS:
All Hands (May 1967)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Milton J. Chewning, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while leading a flight of A-4E Skyhawks on an armed reconnaissance mission in North Vietnam on 3 June 1966. Commander Chewning's plane suffered a direct hit from the intense enemy anti-aircraft fire. Though severely wounded in the right arm, he attacked a nearby road target, then courageously returned his plane to U.S.S. RANGER (CVA-61) with only the use of his left arm. With dogged determination, he completed his mission under extreme duress and saved a valuable airplane.


Milton J. Chewning
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:2 of 2

Distinguished Flying Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Division: U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61)
GENERAL ORDERS:
All Hands (May 1967)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Milton J. Chewning, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Division Leader of a flight of four A-4E Skyhawks on an armed reconnaissance mission on 31 January 1966. Commander Chewning, despite low ceilings and limited visibility, led his division on low-altitude bombing and rocket attacks on the ferry landing south of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, which inflicted heavy damage and started numerous secondary fires. Intense anti-aircraft artillery fire in the target area resulted in major damage to one aircraft in the flight and the loss of the section leader's aircraft. Disregarding his own safety, Commander Chewning conducted numerous low-altitude searching passes in the area until the pilot was rescued after nearly an hour in the water.

[Dennis Leonhardi]

Awesome Pat, your Dad is/was a HERO.  I pray we will always have men like him when needed!

Dennis

[Crist Rigotti]

Awesome Pat, your Dad is/was a HERO.  I pray we will always have men like him when needed!

Dennis

Ditto!

[john e. holliday]

To me all men and women who served in our armed forces are heroes.

[Steve Helmick]

Thanks for the reply, Pat. Like Doc said!    Steve