Ed Marsyla

Ed Marsyla



Awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals for the attempted rescue of Lt Deane Woods, USN - 12-16 October 1966


1967-8 Cruisebook photo, L-R: Daniel Abbott, Thomas Monroe, Leo Keiffer, Ed Marsyla (in cap)	Ed at 2007 Reunion

1966 Deployment

Read rescue synopsis - October 16, 1966

Pictures of loss of Indian Gal 69

Read Ed's Silver Star citation


Ed Marsyla and Vic Vicari ready for a flight	Steve Caple, Ed Marsyla and Vic Vicari are returned to the USS Intrepid by Clementine in their new orange flight suits courtesy of the HC-2 Det	Dave Murphy and Ed after the mission - Ed still showing affects of his wounds	Ed, Dave Murphy, Steve Caple and Vic Vicari in either Danang or Chu Lai after the mission. They were then flown by COD to Cubi Point and eventually to R&R at Camp John Hay in Baguio City, P.I.



	SAR Det C pilots reunited on the USS Intrepid (CVA-11) after the loss of Indian Gal 69 on a Shining Brass mission deep in NVN - L to R; Back Row: Ross Mordhorst, Buck Carlton, Vern Von Sydow, Bob Burnand, Doug Heggie, Vann Goodloe, Bill Roy, Ed - Front Row: Tom May, Leon Houglum, Bill Medley and Dave Murphy

Ream Echo article about the Award Ceremony where Ed was presented his Silver Star and Purple Heart - 7 April 1967


Dave Murphy has already been presented with his Navy Cross and Purple Heart as Ed and "Vic" Vicari wait for their Silver Stars and Purple Hearts	Ed is awarded his Purple Heart after have his Silver Star medal pinned on.

Read more about the efforts to rescue Deane Woods as described in "Leave No Man Behind - the Saga of Combat Search and Rescue" by George Galdorisi and Tom Phillips. This excerpt used with the gracious permission of the authors. The book can be ordered from Amazon.com and many other book sellers.

Read Steve Caple's recollection of the rescue attempt

Deane Woods (right center) with other participants of the panel discussion "Valiant Rescue Attempt: North Vietnam" at the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation's 2009 Symposium.

Order a DVD of the 2009 Symposium panel discussion "Valiant Rescue Attempt: North Vietnam" by calling the Naval Aviation Museum store at 1-800 247 6289. Ask for Session II.

1967-8 Deployment

Read rescue description - 2 January 1968


The "Other" Usual Suspects, L-R: Russ Morris, Ed, Dave Conklin (?), Bill Runyon and Rudy Cartwright	Ed on cruise in 1967-8

Phil & Sue Fuller's wedding: L-R: Sue, Phil, Gordon Thomas, Craig Reynolds, Gus Herrmann, Ken Burns, Bruce Casey, Mike Wilkins, Ed and Bill Medley

Updated: 04/03/11