Our job was to rescue downed pilots and other personnel that were in harm’s way and needed help.
If a pilot was shot down or otherwise became isolated in the jungle the “Jolly Green Giants” would be scrambled to aid with assistance.
The pilots had homing devices so that rescue personnel or other friendly’s could locate them.
A U.S. Air Force Sikorsky HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant helicopter lowers a pararescueman into the jungle during a rescue mission in June 1970. The PJ is barely visible below the drop tank.
Then a jet fighter would locate the pilot and try to determine if bad guys were in the area by attempting to draw ground fire.
If none were detected then typically two A1Es (Sandys) would approach the homing signal to draw ground fire and further locate the personnel. They were also used to protect the two low flying slow moving HH-3Es. If the pilot was capable a hoist was deployed through the triple canopy jungle to recover them.
If they were unable to help themselves then a “PJ” Pararescueman was sent down on the hoist to assist the typically injured pilot.
In one of these rescues on Christmas Day 1968 my friend and PJ classmate was hoisted down to pick up an apparently injured pilot. The mission turned out to be a trap. The pilot was dead and the bad guys used his homing device to lure in the rescuers. My friend descended on the hoist through the trees only to be ambushed by the enemy awaiting below.
He radioed the helicopter he was hit and to leave the area. The helicopter received multiple ground fire and pulled out leaving the PJ on the ground. His body was never recovered and is still listed as MIA.
There were however many instances where American personnel were saved by the actions of Rescue personnel.
The “PJ”s motto is “These things we do that others may live!”