Acts of Valor: Lieutenant (J.G.) John Koelsch, U.S. Navy

Since the first U.S.
military pilot flew a helicopter during a combat mission

during World War II—in which he rescued four downed pilots in Burma—
helicopters have played an important role in the U.S. armed forces.
In 1955, Lieutenant (junior grade) John Kelvin Koelsch posthumously became

JOHN KELVIN KOELSCH the first military helicopter pilot to receive the Medal of Honor.
Lieutenant (junior grade), U.S. Navy
John Koelsch was born on 22 December 1923 in London, England. His father, Henry A. Koelsch Jr., was an international banker for the
National City Bank of New York—a position that moved the family between England and the United States.
3
c.193
0 c.194
1 c.194
in 1938, Koelsch
After his father’s death in London tes, where he
ted Sta
returned with his family to the Uni Connecticut (class
rd,
attended Choate School in Wallingfo nceton, New Jersey,
in Pri
of 1941), then Princeton University gram in 1941 and 1942.
pro
through an accelerated two-year
lea de rship on the soccer field 0
Koelsch was recognized for his
and his patient, persevering self-
discipline. He completed c.195
Navy and was commissioned
training as an aviation cadet in the squadron, returned to and
in 1944, trained with a torpedo
Princeton in 1949, and was
graduated magna cum laude from adron 1 (HU-1) in 1950.
assigned to Helicopter Utility Squ
Koelsch served as officer in charge of a helicopter detachment for pilot rescue

duty on board the USS Princeton (CV-37) off the coast of Korea during the first year of the Korean War. Although he was
scheduled to be rotated home by 1951, Koelsch believed his skills as a helicopter rescue pilot were needed, and he opted to
remain in the combat zone, transferring to HU-2.
54 U . S . N AVA L I N S T I T U T E
On 3 July 1951, Marine Captain James V. Wilkins’ Corsair was shot down about 20 miles south of Wonsan; he
bailed out at 800 feet and landed near a main supply route, where North Korean soldiers were located. It was
getting dark and overcast, and with the enemy in the area, a rescue mission was risky at best.
Koelsch and crewmember Aviation Machinist's

Taking enemy Mate Third Class George M. Neal
fire and nav
igating thro volunteered for the mission.
ugh heavy fog as
night fell, Ko
elsch and Ne
al located W
il kins’ parach
u te—but not
the pilot.
Despite persis
tent enemy fire
, rather than le
ave for safety,
Koelsch pilote
This time they d the helicopte
found Wilkins, r back for a s
who was suffe econd pass.
But just as N ring from sign
eal began hois ificant burns.
ting Wilkins in
down. The thre to the helicop
e fled the are ter, it was sh
a on foot to a ot
void capture.
N AVA L H I S T O R Y • APRIL 2021 55

Koelsch used his shirt to make bandages for Wilkins’ burns, and the three evaded North Korean
troops for nine days until they were apprehended at a bombed-out house. Yet even when
their capture was certain, Koelsch demonstrated a cool head and good humor.
HOW DO YOU DO?
WON'T YOU COME IN?
Knowing Wilkins needed medical care for his now maggot-

infested wounds, Koelsch pointed to them and insisted on medical treatment
for the Marine pilot. Finally, two guards took him away for the much-needed treatment.
This was the last time Wilkins saw Koelsch.
Wilkins, Neal, and other U.S. prisoners of war were repatriated in 1953, but Koelsch had died of dysentery and malnutrition
on 16 October 1951. Those who had been imprisoned with the helicopter rescue pilot testified to his fortitude and
consideration for others. He demonstrated selflessness through sharing his meager food rations while demanding medical
attention for the sick, and courage by not giving into enemy demands and enduring torture and solitary confinement.
56 U . S . N AVA L I N S T I T U T E
On 3 August 1955, Koelsch's mother, Beulah Koelsch, accepted the Medal
of Honor on his behalf. The citation included, "Up to the time of his
death while still a captive of the enemy, Lt. (j.g.) Koelsch steadfastly
refused to aid his captors in any manner and served to inspire his
fellow prisoners by his fortitude and consideration for others."
"The U.S. Fighting Man's Code," which instructs U.S. military

personnel on acceptable conduct as a prisoner of war, was
released the same year. Koelsch had embodied the code, including
Part IV: "If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no
information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command."
The USS Koelsch (FF-1049) was named in the helicopter pilot's honor For his "devotion to duty,
and launched on 8 June 1965, with his brothers and other to his country, and to his
family members present. The ship received a number of fellow men as well as his
awards—including the Humanitarian Service Medal outstanding conduct
in 1976 and the Meritorious Unit Commendation before and after capture
in 1969 and 1969–1970—before being and the indomitable
decommisioned on 31 May 1989. courage he displayed at
all times," George M.
Neal received the Navy
Cross. On 26 March 2019,
the Navy announced that
a future Arleigh
Burke–class guided-
missile destroyer
(DDG-131) will be
named in his honor.
N AVA L H I S T O R Y • APRIL 2021 57

Acts of Valor: Lieutenant (J.G.) John Koelsch, U.S. Navy

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Acts of Valor: Lieutenant (J.G.) John Koelsch, U.S. Navy

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Since the first U.S.

military pilot flew a helicopter during a combat mission

In 1955, Lieutenant (junior grade) John Kelvin Koelsch posthumously became

Koelsch served as officer in charge of a helicopter detachment for pilot rescue

Koelsch and crewmember Aviation Machinist's

N AVA L H I S T O R Y • APRIL 2021 55

Knowing Wilkins needed medical care for his now maggot-

"The U.S. Fighting Man's Code," which instructs U.S. military

N AVA L H I S T O R Y • APRIL 2021 57

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