44 years later, Lehigh man given Silver Star by Sen. Nelson

Keith Maynard is shown with his Silver Star that was presented to him Friday by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Photo by Mel Toadvine
Sgt. Keith Maynard, 71, of Lehigh Acres finally was awarded the recognition that he deserved after almost 50 years ago while fighting for America in Vietnam.
Florida’s U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson presented Maynard the Silver Star medal Friday. While it was a long-time coming, Maynard fought back tears, and said it was “pretty special.”
“It’s pretty special for my family, my kids and I did a good job,” he told Nelson.
Maynard served during the Vietnam War as a helicopter staff sergeant and had volunteered to fly into a combat zone and pick up wounded soldiers on the battlefield. It happened on the night of Nov. 17, 1965 and a flash light was used to guide the helicopter in to a landing so the men on board could pick up the wounded and get them back to the chopper all the while under enemy attack. The night was like pitch dark, Maynard said Saturday.
“The guys there needed help and you try to do what you have to do. It was doing my job,” Maynard said.

Sen. Bill Nelson presents the Silver Star to Keith Maynard of Lehigh Acres. Photo by Nina Maynard
The Silver Star is the third highest military honor for valor in combat. His former commander made the recommendation that the medal be presented to Maynard after a painting by one of the men picked up that night had been seen. John Tuttle, an injured soldier that night, painted the scene as he remembered it and the painting is hanging today in the Smithsonian Institute’s Aerospace Museum in Washington, D.C.
That is when the ball started rolling and Tuttle indentified some of the men in the painting. Maynard was one of them.
Maynard just found out a few weeks ago that he was to receive the special honor when a letter arrived in the mail at his Loraine Ave. home. Maynard was disabled some time later in the war and is on disability and today uses a power scooter to get around. That didn’t stop him however from working in civilian life, spending several years working for Sony.
“We guys in that helicopter crew have kept up with each other and now every year we meet in Washington for a reunion,” Maynard said. He said that on that particular night Medivac helicopters were not available and his crew, which delivered ammunition and other items to the troops, volunteered to go out and pick up wounded soldiers.
“I wasn’t scared. You didn’t think about it. I was 28 years old and we had been given excellent training and we just did it and we got those men off the ground, those who were still alive,” he said.

Keith Maynard holds a paining by John Tuttle that hangs in the Aerospace Museum in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., that shows Maynard and his crew members picking up wounded soilders in Vietnam. That painting lead to the eventual identification of Maynard who learned a short time ago that he would be presented the Silver Star. Photo by Mel Toadvine
Nelson noted that it takes a while sometimes for the military to issue such medals, but once the Dept. of Defense does the research and background checks, the awards can be made, Nelson said. Redding Hobby, director of Logistics for Central Military Command was at the ceremony as was Maynard’s wife, Nina.
The presentation was made in Nelson’s office in Fort Myers.
Maynard said Saturday that his phone has been ringing off the hook and he’s been getting calls from people who have heard he was awarded the Silver Star.
“We did what we had to do, but it is nice to have the Silver Star,” he said. His wife said they would probably have it framed in a shadowbox to hang on the wall. In a drawer in his living room, there are several other war medals presented to Maynard over his military career.
“And one day, his children will cherish it,” she said.
- Sen. Bill Nelson presents the Silver Star to Keith Maynard of Lehigh Acres. Photo by Nina Maynard
- Keith Maynard holds a paining by John Tuttle that hangs in the Aerospace Museum in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., that shows Maynard and his crew members picking up wounded soilders in Vietnam. That painting lead to the eventual identification of Maynard who learned a short time ago that he would be presented the Silver Star. Photo by Mel Toadvine
- Nina Maynard gives her husband a hug. She said she was very proud of her husband. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Nina Maynard gives her husband a hug. She said she was very proud of her husband. Photo by Mel Toadvine