Before there was Mogadishu, there was Quilali. And before there was the incredible heroism of Delta Force snipers Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shugart, there was the courage of Marine aviator First Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt.
As the approximately 400-man Sandinista force laid siege to Quilali, the Marines were in a difficult situation. They were low on ammunition and supplies, and of 174 officers and men, eight were dead, and 31 wounded – including every surviving officer. The Marines and Guardia quickly constructed an airfield in the middle of Quilali, an overgrown and abandoned hamlet that was little more than “an aggregation of shacks” near the Jicaro River. Flying a Vought 02U-1 “Corsair” biplane, 1LT Schilt made 10 landings and takeoffs on Quilali’s main street from January 6-8. Under heavy enemy fire, Schilt delivered 1,400 pounds of medicine and supplies and evacuated 18 wounded. Each time Schilt’s Corsair touched down Marines had to run out and grab the wings in order to slow the brakeless plane down and keep it from smashing off the end of the abbreviated runway.
Although the Marine ground offensive was a failure, Schilt was awarded the Medal of Honor for these daring flights.
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