Fifteen years ago, two American heroes faced an impossible situation in Afghanistan, staring down an enemy determined to breach a base. Their quick thinking and unwavering courage saved countless lives against overwhelming odds, even taking direct fire. What incredible acts of valor earned them the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal?

A profound ceremony in Ragley, Louisiana, recently honored two distinguished veterans, Chief Warrant Officer Three Jacob C. Marceaux and Lt. Col. Timothy Ashcraft, who were bestowed with the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross Medal for their extraordinary valor during combat operations in the Afghanistan War. The event, held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, marked a poignant milestone, commemorating their heroism fifteen years after the perilous events unfolded.

The date of the ceremony, August 28th, precisely mirrored the 15th anniversary of an intense engagement in 2010 when Marceaux and Ashcraft, flying an AH-64D Apache Longbow Helicopter, valiantly defended Forward Operating Base Salerno. This critical base, situated in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, came under a fierce and coordinated enemy attack that threatened to overwhelm the American forces stationed there.

During the onslaught, CW3 Marceaux’s exceptional skills and quick decision-making proved pivotal. His “superior airmanship and rapid decision making” were credited with directly preventing enemy forces from overrunning FOB Salerno, thereby saving dozens of American soldiers’ lives. His unwavering resolve and tactical brilliance under extreme pressure cemented his status as a true Military Hero.

The Distinguished Flying Cross Medal is a highly esteemed military decoration, ranking as the fourth-highest award for heroism and the highest for extraordinary aerial achievement within the U.S. armed forces. Its presentation by former Captain Lisa Tippens underscored the profound significance of Marceaux and Ashcraft’s actions, recognizing their commitment to duty and exceptional courage in the face of the Afghanistan War.

Lt. Col. Ashcraft, Marceaux’s co-pilot, expressed immense gratitude, stating he might not have survived without Marceaux’s rapid and precise response. He emphasized Marceaux’s “absolute precision and clarity” as the direct reason why not a single American life was lost during the intense and chaotic attack, highlighting the incredible teamwork and individual skill involved between Jacob Marceaux and Timothy Ashcraft.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Jacob Marceaux described the event as feeling a “lifetime ago,” yet recognizing it fifteen years later made it feel incredibly current. Despite his AH-64D Apache taking 16 direct hits and Marceaux himself sustaining a shoulder injury, his paramount pride stemmed from the fact that no American lives were sacrificed during their defense of the base. This embodies the spirit of Military Heroes.

The insurgents’ objective was clear: to breach the base, utilizing suicide vests and American uniforms to cause maximum devastation. Marceaux and Ashcraft engaged the enemy personnel directly, halting the breach and neutralizing more than 18 insurgents. Despite sustaining significant damage, including the loss of an engine, the targeting system, and utility hydraulics on their AH-64D Apache, Marceaux miraculously maintained control and landed the aircraft safely.

Marceaux attributes their survival to divine intervention, recalling how he and Ashcraft communicated tactical plans non-verbally and how time seemed to slow in the heat of battle. Life has since transformed for Marceaux, who is now married to Elizabeth, a former tactical pilot, and together they raise seven children while managing a cattle ranch in Ragley, marking a new chapter for this Military Hero.

Prior to his distinguished 20-year Army career, which included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan War, Marceaux, a South Beauregard High School graduate, was inspired by history to join the military. Lt. Col. Ashcraft lauded Marceaux’s extraordinary heroism, not just that day, but every day, as the “pinnacle of what valor looks like,” acknowledging a profound spiritual presence amidst the danger for both Jacob Marceaux and Timothy Ashcraft.