In an event that lasted about 15 minutes, Sgt. Billy Shue was proclaimed a hero.
Shue, a 2001 graduate of Joshua High School and the son of Glenn and Dora Shue of Cleburne, never expected to receive such an honor for what he called instinct.
While on a training exercise with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit outside King Faisal Air Base in Jordan on May 26, 2007, something went horribly wrong when a helicopter practicing firing mistook Shue’s helicopter and another for a target.
“We were just sitting there on the range, and they confused us with the target and fired on us,” he said. “I turned back to look at the Cobra and saw debris flying out in the air.”
The AH-1W Super Cobra was hit when an AV-8B Harrier dropped a bomb near the attack helicopter.
Shue, Capt. Lauchlin Byrd, Master Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Staggs and Capt. Nathan Anderson, who were in a UH-1N Huey, ran to help rescue the men in the attacked Cobra.
“I saw one of our crew members run in front of the Cobra because he saw the pilot stumbling over there,” Shue said. “Rounds on the Cobra were exploding, and the hell fire [ammunition] was on fire so I ran around the back of the Cobra.
“I saw them dragging the pilot off in the distance. At that time I ran over there, and Capt. Byrd said we can’t move him because of shock.”
After assessing the situation and deciding they would risk moving him because of the ammunition exploding on the Cobra, the crew picked him up and carried him away from the aircraft.
“I sat there with him while the rest of the crew ran to our aircraft to get first aid,” he said. “We picked him up and put him in the Huey and headed back to base.”
The entire event happened quickly.
“From the time the ordnance hit by the time we landed back at base, it was about 15 minutes,” Shue said.
Shue returned from Jordan in July and found out in September that he was going to receive a medal.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth J. Clueck Jr. presented Shue and his crew medals Jan. 29. Shue received a Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest noncombatant medal for valor, according to Lt. Col. Mike “Wally” Watkins, Shue’s commanding officer.
“It was nice to receive an award for something like that,” he said. “We didn’t really have time to think about it. We just started moving.”
In a letter to Shue’s parents, Watkins wrote that their son is a hero.
“He helped save the lives of two pilots that day, and he did it without hesitation or thought of the risk to himself,” he wrote. “The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest noncombatant medal for valor that the nation can offer, and Billy definitely earned it that night in Jordan.
“I am very proud of Billy, and we are very lucky to have him in our squadron.”
Shue’s parents share the pride of their son’s honor.
“We are so proud of him,” Dora Shue said. “This is such a high honor for him and the other three brave Marines who risked their lives to save those in danger.”
Shue is on active duty with the Marines until October. He is stationed at New River Air Station and lives in Sneads Ferry, N.C., with his wife, Katie, and 3-year-old son, Travis.
Local News
Joshua grad called a hero
Shue receives Navy and Marine Corps Medal
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