NORFOLK, Va. –
On a stifling summer day in August 2023, during an aerial firefighting mission near Springerville, Arizona, Naval Aircrewman (Mechanical) First Class (AWF1) Edgar Silva found himself at the center of a life-or-death emergency. A veteran of both Marine and Navy service, Silva’s training, experience, and unflinching courage were put to the ultimate test when a mechanical failure forced his CH-46E helicopter into an emergency landing. What followed was a display of selfless bravery that earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the naval service’s highest non-combat decoration for heroism.
At the time, AWF1 Silva was working in the civilian sector as an aircrew member for a firefighting unit. As a firefighting mission was underway, disaster struck when the CH-46E experienced a critical malfunction, forcing the aircraft into an emergency landing. After landing, the helicopter tipped onto its side, flames spreading rapidly as the dry Arizona landscape turned into an inferno. Trapped within the twisted wreckage were Silva and his two pilots—each facing the very real threat of death by fire or smoke inhalation.
AWF1 Silva, attached to Fleet Logistics Multi-mission Squadron THREE ZERO Reserve Detachment, was the first to act. Realizing the severity of the situation, he quickly found a limited opening on the bottom of the overturned aircraft and used it to escape the engulfing flames. But for Silva, escape wasn’t enough.
Silva first assisted the co-pilot to safety through the same narrow opening he had used. With one crew member out of harm’s way, Silva turned his attention to the pilot, who was trapped behind a damaged, contorted door in the cockpit. Undeterred by the escalating danger, Silva climbed back onto the flame-engulfed helicopter, navigating through noxious smoke and intense heat. Using his strength and sheer determination, he pried the stuck cockpit egress door open from the outside, freeing the pilot as the fire advanced and smoke began entering the cockpit.
For retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Lapointe, the pilot Silva rescued, the experience was nothing short of miraculous. In a heartfelt notarized testimonial dated August 12, 2023, Lapointe recounted the harrowing events of that day. After the initial crash landing, Lapointe attempted to egress through the same opening as Silva and the co-pilot, but it wasn’t large enough. With smoke rapidly filling the cockpit and flames closing in, Lapointe turned to locate an emergency exit handle. Before he could act, Silva climbed onto the burning wreckage, located the handle from the outside, and removed the door to clear the opening. Lapointe described how Silva, assisted by the co-pilot, pulled him to safety just 30 seconds before the cockpit was engulfed in flames.
Lapointe’s testimony leaves no doubt about Silva’s courage. “With disregard for his own personal safety, AWF1 Silva crawled onto the burning aircraft...and helped me to safety,” he wrote. His words reflect the gratitude and admiration of someone whose life was saved by another’s heroic actions.
Silva’s actions during the emergency were not only courageous but also a testament to the unique training and mindset instilled in Navy and Marine Corps Aircrew. His background—spanning years in the Marine Corps as a CH-46E and MV-22B crew chief, followed by service in the Navy Reserve—equipped him with the expertise and composure needed to act decisively in life-threatening situations. From firefighting missions to crisis response deployments in Africa, Silva’s service record reflects a dedication to duty that goes above and beyond.
Outside his reserve duties, Silva works as a civilian contractor at VRM-40 in Norfolk, Virginia, supporting naval aviation programs. A licensed Airframes & Powerplants mechanic, Silva continues to exemplify the Reserve Force’s ethos of balancing professional excellence with selfless service.
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is a fitting tribute to Silva’s actions that day. It stands as a reminder of the bravery required to wear the uniform and the extraordinary individuals who embody those values. For Silva, the recognition is deeply humbling, but it’s the survival of his crew that matters most.
As the dust settled on that harrowing day in Arizona, AWF1 Edgar Silva’s story is more than just a tale of heroism—it’s a reminder of what it means to live a life dedicated to service. In the face of unimaginable danger, Silva’s unwavering commitment to protecting others exemplifies the best of the Navy Reserve. Whether in the skies over Arizona or in his daily work supporting Naval operations, Silva is a hero among us, a living testament to the courage and selflessness that define the Navy Reserve.
AWF1 Silva would like to mention that he attributes his instincts and actions that day to the years of training he received from his crew chief instructors throughout his career, starting at HMMT-164, to HMM-764, and all the way through his time at VMM-774.