Specialist 4 Clifford S. Bratcher enlisted in the Army in December 1965. He served as a gunner on a medical transport aircraft with the 1st Cavalry Division, 15th Medical Battalion. Bratcher was killed in South Vietnam when his UH-1D was on a nighttime medical evacuation mission. Poor weather conditions caused the aircraft to proceed at low level over the terrain.

The aircraft crashed and there were no survivors. Along with Bratcher, the crew included aircraft commander Second Lieutenant Dennis B. Easley, pilot Captain Donald C. Woodruff, crew chief Private 1st Class Douglas. M. Kyser, and medic SP5 Charles S. Ridout.