A Legacy Of Heroism

During the Iran Rescue Mission, the Air Force Special Operations/Air Commando crew members named below sacrificed their lives at Desert One Iran so that many of their comrades could survive. After a Marine RH-53 helicopter collided with their C-130 aircraft, their individual actions contributed to the survival of over 53 mission personnel trapped in the cabin of the aircraft.

Though mortally wounded, Captain Harold Lewis maintained positive control over the crew and ordered that all other crew members try to save themselves and those mission personnel, where possible. He ordered others on the flight deck to leave him behind and remained there himself, until too late.

Captain Lyn McIntosh assumed control when Captain Lewis was wounded and also assisted the flight engineer in damage control procedures. He also refused to leave until it was too late.

Captains Charles McMillan and Richard Bakke remained behind to assist Captains Lewis and McIntosh. They attempted to remove Captain Lewis from his position and refused to leave until it was too late.

TSG Joel Mayo continued to perform flight engineer duties, such as fire and damage control, so that those trapped in the back of the aircraft would have a chance to escape. He remained at his position until it was too late.

In the fiery collision, three Marines in the helicopter were killed instantly:

CPL George Holmes, a young man tirelessly devoted to his squadron's task and clearly at the beginning of a distinguished career, had made it his special aspiration to become a Helicopter Crew Chief, and succeeded in being chosen to fill that role in this special elite team of volunteers.

SGT John Harvey was a skilled avionics technician with natural leadership qualities, and achievements far from typical for his young age; his sense of humor complemented his intense drive toward excellence.

SSGT Dewey Johnson, an experienced, hard-working master of his craft and a devoted family man, enjoyed a reputation as the Air Group's premier RH-53 mechanic, and had been an instructor and father figure to countless younger mechanics.

Besides the eight who died, many other servicemen taking part in the rescue, including many who were wounded, heroically displayed the No Greater Love spirit, described in the biblical words "No greater love has a man than this, that he be willing to lay down his life for his friends." In today's tribute, No Greater Love honors all the men who took part in the Iran Rescue Mission.