WAYNE, PA – Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), alongside General Hokanson, the 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, presented Lawrence (Larry) Liss with a Silver Star Medal. Liss was awarded this designation — the third-highest military decoration for valor in combat — for flying his unarmed helicopter into intense combat six times to rescue his fellow soldiers pinned down by enemy combatants at Cau Song Be during the Vietnam War. The recognition ceremony was held yesterday at Valley Forge Military Academy and College. 

"Helping present Larry with the Silver Star has been a highlight of my time as a Congress member and veteran. Let there be no doubt about what happened that fateful date 56 years ago – Larry went above and beyond the call of duty, and I'm thankful he finally received the recognition he deserves," said Houlahan. "This recognition was not the end of a journey but the beginning of a legacy for the Liss family. I am especially thankful for Larry’s brother, Art, who never gave up hope that this day would come." 

“Captain Larry M. Liss is a patriot whose bravery helped save the lives of more than 80 troops during the Vietnam War,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. “I am proud to have worked with the Liss family and Representative Houlahan to ensure Captain Liss receives this high honor for his valor. Pennsylvania and our Nation owe him a debt of gratitude.” 

Larry Liss speaks after being awarded the Silver Star 

In addition to Representative Houlahan, speakers included: 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel Hokanson, President of the Valley Forge Military Academy & College, Colonel Stuart Helgeson, and Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian.  

Other key attendees included: Representatives from Senator Casey and Senator Fetterman’s office, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz, Pennsylvania Adjutant General, MG Mark Schindler, former Pennsylvania Adjutant General, MG Wesley Craig (RET), and National Commander of Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Col. Nelson Mellitz (Ret.). Larry Liss is a proud member of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA. 

General Hokanson, the 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, speaks with Larry Liss ahead of the Silver Star ceremony 

Background:

Congressional Engagement 

Soon after Representative Houlahan was sworn into office in January 2019, she met with Cpt. Liss in her West Chester office. Larry explained that his brother, Art, had compiled an application on his behalf to be considered for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor.   

In April 2019, through the constituent services of Senator Casey and Representative Houlahan, a collaborative effort began to recognize Larry’s gallantry in action.  

After multiple rejections for the Medal of Honor, in May 2022, Representative Houlahan’s office began a case for Larry to be upgraded to a Silver Star rather than the Medal of Honor.  

On October 12, 2023, Representative Houlahan participated in a teleconference call with Director Dennis Dingle of ABCMR and pressed for a final decision on Larry’s Silver Star case. 

On January 11, 2024, ABCMR formally upgraded Larry’s Distinguished Flying Cross medal to a Silver Star, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States.     

Read the full citation for the Silver Star award below: 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, has awarded the Silver Star to Captain Lawrence M. Liss, Headquarters and Headquarters Company,  II Field Force Vietnam, for gallantry in Action while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam on 14 May 1967 while serving in the Aviation Detachment, II Field Force Vietnam.  

On this day, during the transportation of II Field Force Vietnam Staff Chaplain to Special Forces Camps in the III Corps area for Sunday Services, Captain Liss learned that a Civilian Irregular Defense Group Company was engaged in heavy fighting with a numerically superior Viet Cong force a few miles from his location at Cau Song Be Special Forces Camp.   

Disregarding his own safety, Captain Liss volunteered his services to fly in reinforcements and evacuate wounded personnel.  To successfully complete the rescue mission, Captain Liss used his rotors to cut through the dense underbrush, an extremely hazardous undertaking. Again using the rotors to clear a path for takeoff, he brought the wounded Soldiers safely back to Cau Song Be Camp.   

While sharing the flying responsibilities with the aircraft commander, Captain Liss made numerous trips despite the increasing danger with each lift.  He ignored the continuously shrinking perimeter against an intensified enemy attack and the lost radio contact with the tactical air support aircraft.  On the last two extraction landings, Captain Liss unflinchingly leapt out of his seat, and in total disregard for his own well-being and safety, exited the aircraft and engaged the enemy on the ground while rallying the troops and helping the wounded Soldiers board the helicopter.   

On the last trip, although the aircraft was overloaded, Captain Liss was determined to extract the remaining 18 Soldiers; therefore, he directed troops into the cargo bay and told others to stand on the skids, and even personally held onto two Soldiers who were hanging onto his door and window by their lapels until the helicopter safely landed at base camp.   

Through Captain Liss’ courage, determination, and leadership in extreme conditions, the Civilian Irregular Defense Group Company was rescued, and their casualties evacuated successfully.  Captain Liss’ extraordinary accomplishment reflects the greatest credit upon him, the II Field Force Vietnam, and the United States Army. 

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress. 

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