I knew Raleigh in flight school and in Vietnam. As I said earlier, we was a close friend. John Moberley of Ft Rucker Alabama was probably his Best friend. We both toast Raleigh when we get together. His actions the day he went down, without a doubt, saved the flight he was escorting. We wanted him to have a very high medal (the medal of honor was discussed) for attacking a 23 millimeter anti-aircraft emplacement with his helicopter. (that thing shoots bullets the side of a small soda bottle)
I thought he'd gottten at least the DSC. Years later at the US Army Aviation Museum wall of heros, I saw he'd gotten the Air Medal with V, and I raged inside against the people in the 119th, at the the time, who did not follow through with the paperwork to get him properly recognized.
As I said, in my mind, and the mind of his friends, He was a true American War Hero, and he died saving his buddies.
Rex Tompkins was his Crew chief and survived the shoot down. opefully he can add to what I said.
Welcome aboard