HARGROVE, JAMES WELDON
CWO, U.S. Army
Fisher County, Texas

Picture:

Medals:

Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and Republic of Vietnam Service Medal.

Biography:

Jimmy Hargrove was a career military pilot. He served 13 years in the Navy as a pilot and later joined the Army to serve in Vietnam. Hargrove grew up in Rotan and earned a B.S. degree in Agronomy from Texas Tech. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on October 18, 1966, when he was aircraft commander of his platoon leader's UH-1 helicopter during airmobile operations near Vi Thanh. He first helped provide cover for four simultaneous troops landings. Immediately after landing, two ground troops were wounded and Hargrove returned to provide covering fire for their evacuation despite heavy ground fire and rain. After the rescue helicopter was forced away with ten hits, Hargrove attempted the evacuation. The helicopter received intense hostile fire and crashed as it attempted to take off. CWO Hargrove was killed in the crash.