VIETNAM WAR
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
(E-F)
*N.B. An asterisk in the
citation indicates that the award was given posthumously.
*ENGLISH,
GLENN H., JR.
Rank and organization: Staff
Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 3d Battalion, ~03 Infantry, 173d
Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Phu My District, Republic of
Vietnam, 7 September 1970. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa.
Born: 23 April 1940, Altoona, Pa. Citation: S/Sgt. English was
riding in the lead armored personnel carrier in a 4-vehicle
column when an enemy mine exploded in front of his vehicle. As
the vehicle swerved from the road, a concealed enemy force
waiting in ambush opened fire with automatic weapons and
anti-tank grenades, striking the vehicle several times and
setting it on fire. S/Sgt. English escaped from the disabled
vehicle and, without pausing to extinguish the flames on his
clothing, rallied his stunned unit. He then led it in a vigorous
assault, in the face of heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, on
the entrenched enemy position. This prompt and courageous action
routed the enemy and saved his unit from destruction. Following
the assault, S/Sgt. English heard the cries of 3 men still
trapped inside the vehicle. Paying no heed to warnings that the
ammunition and fuel in the burning personnel carrier might
explode at any moment, S/Sgt. English raced to the vehicle and
climbed inside to rescue his wounded comrades. As he was lifting
1 of the men to safety, the vehicle exploded, mortally wounding
him and the man he was attempting to save. By his extraordinary
devotion to duty, indomitable courage, and utter disregard for
his own safety, S/Sgt. English saved his unit from destruction
and selflessly sacrificed his life in a brave attempt to save 3
comrades. S/Sgt. English's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
in action at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his
comrades and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
*ESTOCIN,
MICHAEL J.
Rank and organization. Captain (then
Lt. Cmdr.), U.S. Navy, Attack Squadron 192, USS Ticonderoga
(CVA-14). Place and date: Haiphong, North Vietnam, 20 and 26
April 1967. Entered service at: Akron Ohio, 2() July 1954. Born:
27 April 1931, Turtle Creek, Pa. Citation. For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty on 20 and 26 April 1967 as a pilot in
Attack Squadron 192, embarked in USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14).
Leading a 3-plane group of aircraft in support of a coordinated
strike against two thermal power plants in Haiphong, North
Vietnam, on 20 April 1967, Capt. Estocin provided continuous
warnings to the strike group leaders of the surface-to-air
missile (SAM) threats, and personally neutralized 3 SAM sites.
Although his aircraft was severely damaged by an exploding
missile, he reentered the target area and relentlessly
prosecuted a SHRIKE attack in the face of intense antiaircraft
fire. With less than 5 minutes of fuel remaining he departed the
target area and commenced in-flight refueling which continued
for over 100 miles. Three miles aft of Ticonderoga, and without
enough fuel for a second approach, he disengaged from the tanker
and executed a precise approach to a fiery arrested landing. On
26 April 1967, in support of a coordinated strike against the
vital fuel facilities in Haiphong, he led an attack on a
threatening SAM site, during which his aircraft was seriously
damaged by an exploding SAM; nevertheless, he regained control
of his burning aircraft and courageously launched his SHRIKE
missiles before departing the area. By his inspiring courage and
unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave personal
danger, Captain Estocin upheld the highest traditions of the
U.S. Naval Service.
*EVANS,
DONALD W., JR.
Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 12 Infantry,
4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Tri Tam, Republic of
Vietnam, 27 January 1967. Entered service at: Covina, Calif.
Born: 23 July 1943, Covina, Calif. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. He left his position of
relative safety with his platoon which had not yet been
committed to the battle to answer the calls for medical aid from
the wounded men of another platoon which was heavily engaged
with the enemy force. Dashing across 100 meters of open area
through a withering hail of enemy fire and exploding grenades,
he administered lifesaving treatment to 1 individual and
continued to expose himself to the deadly enemy fire as he moved
to treat each of the other wounded men and to offer them
encouragement. Realizing that the wounds of 1 man required
immediate attention, Sp4c. Evans dragged the injured soldier
back across the dangerous fire-swept area, to a secure position
from which he could be further evacuated Miraculously escaping
the enemy fusillade, Sp4c. Evans returned to the forward
location. As he continued the treatment of the wounded, he was
struck by fragments from an enemy grenade. Despite his serious
and painful injury he succeeded in evacuating another wounded
comrade, rejoined his platoon as it was committed to battle and
was soon treating other wounded soldiers. As he evacuated
another wounded man across the fire covered field, he was
severely wounded. Continuing to refuse medical attention and
ignoring advice to remain behind, he managed with his waning
strength to move yet another wounded comrade across the
dangerous open area to safety. Disregarding his painful wounds
and seriously weakened from profuse bleeding, he continued his
lifesaving medical aid and was killed while treating another
wounded comrade. Sp4c. Evan's extraordinary valor, dedication
and indomitable spirit saved the lives of several of his fellow
soldiers, served as an inspiration to the men of his company,
were instrumental in the success of their mission, and reflect
great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
*EVANS,
RODNEY J.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S.
Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry
Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of
Vietnam, 18 July 1969. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala.
Born: 17 July 1948, Chelsea, Mass. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Evans distinguished
himself by extraordinary heroism while serving as a squad leader
in a reconnaissance sweep through heavy vegetation to
reconnoiter a strong enemy position. As the force approached a
well-defined trail, the platoon scout warned that the trail was
booby-trapped. Sgt. Evans led his squad on a route parallel to
the trail. The force had started to move forward when a nearby
squad was hit by the blast of a concealed mine. Looking to his
right Sgt. Evans saw a second enemy device. With complete
disregard for his safety he shouted a warning to his men, dived
to the ground and crawled toward the mine. Just as he reached it
an enemy soldier detonated the explosive and Sgt. Evans absorbed
the full impact with his body. His gallant and selfless action
saved his comrades from probable death or injury and served as
an inspiration to his entire unit. Sgt. Evans' gallantry in
action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
FERGUSON,
FREDERICK EDGAR
Rank and organization: Chief Warrant
Officer, U.S. Army, Company C, 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st
Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and date: Hue, Republic of
Vietnam, 31 January 1968. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz.
Born: 18 August 1939, Pilot Point, Tex. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. CWO Ferguson, U.S.
Army distinguished himself while serving with Company C. CWO
Ferguson, commander of a resupply helicopter monitoring an
emergency call from wounded passengers and crewmen of a downed
helicopter under heavy attack within the enemy controlled city
of Hue, unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt evacuation.
Despite warnings from all aircraft to stay clear of the area due
to heavy antiaircraft fire, CWO Ferguson began a low-level night
at maximum airspeed along the Perfume River toward the tiny,
isolated South Vietnamese Army compound in which the crash
survivors had taken refuge. Coolly and skillfully maintaining
his course in the face of intense, short range fire from enemy
occupied buildings and boats, he displayed superior flying skill
and tenacity of purpose by landing his aircraft in an extremely
confined area in a blinding dust cloud under heavy mortar and
small-arms fire. Although the helicopter was severely damaged by
mortar fragments during the loading of the wounded, CWO Ferguson
disregarded the damage and, taking off through the continuing
hail of mortar fire, he flew his crippled aircraft on the return
route through the rain of fire that he had experienced earlier
and safely returned his wounded passengers to friendly control.
CWO Ferguson's extraordinary determination saved the lives of 5
of his comrades. His actions are in the highest traditions of
the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the
U.S. Army .
*
FERNANDEZ, DANIEL
Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry
(Mechanized) 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Cu Chi, Hau
Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 February 1966. Entered
service at: Albuquerque, N. Mex. Born: 30 June 1944,
Albuquerque, N. Mex. c.o. No.: 21, 26 April 1967. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Fernandez demonstrated
indomitable courage when the patrol was ambushed by a Viet Cong
rifle company and driven back by the intense enemy automatic
weapons fire before it could evacuate an American soldier who
had been wounded in the Viet Cong attack. Sp4c. Fernandez, a
sergeant and 2 other volunteers immediately fought their way
through devastating fire and exploding grenades to reach the
fallen soldier. Upon reaching their fallen comrade the sergeant
was struck in the knee by machine gun fire and immobilized.
Sp4c. Fernandez took charge, rallied the left flank of his
patrol and began to assist in the recovery of the wounded
sergeant. While first aid was being administered to the wounded
man, a sudden increase in the accuracy and intensity of enemy
fire forced the volunteer group to take cover. As they did, an
enemy grenade landed in the midst of the group, although some
men did not see it. Realizing there was no time for the wounded
sergeant or the other men to protect themselves from the grenade
blast, Sp4c. Fernandez vaulted over the wounded sergeant and
threw himself on the grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of
his 4 comrades at the sacrifice of his life. Sp4c. Fernandez'
profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest
traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon
himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
FISHER,
BERNARD FRANCIS
Rank and organization: Major, U.S.
Air Force, 1st Air Commandos. Place and date: Bien Hoa and
Pleiku, Vietnam, 10 March 1966. Entered service at: Kuna, Idaho.
Born: 11 January 1927, San Bernardino, Calif. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. On that date, the special
forces camp at A Shau was under attack by 2,000 North Vietnamese
Army regulars. Hostile troops had positioned themselves between
the airstrip and the camp. Other hostile troops had surrounded
the camp and were continuously raking it with automatic weapons
fire from the surrounding hills. The tops of the 1,500-foot
hills were obscured by an 800 foot ceiling, limiting aircraft
maneuverability and forcing pilots to operate within range of
hostile gun positions, which often were able to fire down on the
attacking aircraft. During the battle, Maj. Fisher observed a
fellow airman crash land on the battle-torn airstrip. In the
belief that the downed pilot was seriously injured and in
imminent danger of capture, Maj. Fisher announced his intention
to land on the airstrip to effect a rescue. Although aware of
the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt, he
elected to continue. Directing his own air cover, he landed his
aircraft and taxied almost the full length of the runway, which
was littered with battle debris and parts of an exploded
aircraft. While effecting a successful rescue of the downed
pilot, heavy ground fire was observed, with 19 bullets striking
his aircraft. In the face of the withering ground fire, he
applied power and gained enough speed to lift-off at the overrun
of the airstrip. Maj. Fisher's profound concern for his fellow
airman, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and
reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his
country.
FITZMAURICE,
MICHAEL JOHN
Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Troop D, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry,
101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Khe Sanh, Republic of
Vietnam, 23 March 1971. Entered service at: Jamestown, N. Dak.
Born: 9 March 1950, Jamestown, N. Dak . Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Fitzmaurice,
3d Platoon, Troop D, distinguished himself at Khe Sanh. Sp4c.
Fitzmaurice and 3 fellow soldiers were occupying a bunker when a
company of North Vietnamese sappers infiltrated the area. At the
onset of the attack Sp4c. Fitzmaurice observed 3 explosive
charges which had been thrown into the bunker by the enemy.
Realizing the imminent danger to his comrades, and with complete
disregard for his personal safety, he hurled 2 of the charges
out of the bunker. He then threw his flak vest and himself over
the remaining charge. By this courageous act he absorbed the
blast and shielded his fellow-soldiers. Although suffering from
serious multiple wounds and partial loss of sight, he charged
out of the bunker, and engaged the enemy until his rifle was
damaged by the blast of an enemy hand grenade. While in search
of another weapon, Sp4c. Fitzmaurice encountered and overcame an
enemy sapper in hand-to-hand combat. Having obtained another
weapon, he returned to his original fighting position and
inflicted additional casualties on the attacking enemy. Although
seriously wounded, Sp4c. Fitzmaurice refused to be medically
evacuated, preferring to remain at his post. Sp4c. Fitzmaurice's
extraordinary heroism in action at the risk of his life
contributed significantly to the successful defense of the
position and resulted in saving the lives of a number of his
fellow soldiers. These acts of heroism go above and beyond the
call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service, and reflect great credit on Sp4c. Fitzmaurice
and the U.S. Army.
*FLEEK,
CHARLES CLINTON
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U
.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry
Division. Place and date: Binh Duong Province, Republic of
Vietnam, 27 May 1967. Entered service at: Cincinnati, Ohio.
Born: 28 August 1947, Petersburg, Ky. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Fleek distinguished
himself while serving as a squad leader in Company C, during an
ambush operation. Sgt. Fleek's unit was deployed in ambush
locations when a large enemy force approached the position.
Suddenly, the leading enemy element, sensing the ambush, halted
and started to withdraw. Reacting instantly, Sgt. Fleek opened
fire and directed the effective fire of his men upon the
numerically superior enemy force. During the fierce battle that
followed, an enemy soldier threw a grenade into the squad
position. Realizing that his men had not seen the grenade, Sgt.
Fleek, although in a position to seek cover, shouted a warning
to his comrades and threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing
its blast. His gallant action undoubtedly saved the lives or
prevented the injury of at least 8 of his fellow soldiers. Sgt.
Fleek's gallantry and willing self-sacrifice were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect
great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army .
FLEMING,
JAMES P.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S.
Air Force, 20th Special Operations Squadron. Place and date:
Near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam, 26 November 1968. Entered
service at: Pullman, Wash. Born: 12 March 1943, Sedalia, Mo.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt.
Fleming (then 1st Lt.) distinguished himself as the Aircraft
Commander of a UH-1F transport Helicopter. Capt. Fleming went to
the aid of a 6-man special forces long range reconnaissance
patrol that was in danger of being overrun by a large, heavily
armed hostile force. Despite the knowledge that 1 helicopter had
been downed by intense hostile fire, Capt. Fleming descended,
and balanced his helicopter on a river bank with the tail boom
hanging over open water. The patrol could not penetrate to the
landing site and he was forced to withdraw. Dangerously low on
fuel, Capt. Fleming repeated his original landing maneuver.
Disregarding his own safety, he remained in this exposed
position. Hostile fire crashed through his windscreen as the
patrol boarded his helicopter. Capt. Fleming made a successful
takeoff through a barrage of hostile fire and recovered safely
at a forward base. Capt. Fleming's profound concern for his
fellowmen, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call
of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S.
Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed
Forces of his country.
FOLEY,
ROBERT F.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S.
Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry
Division. Place and date: Near Quan Dau Tieng, Republic of
Vietnam, 5 November 1966. Entered service at: Newton, Mass.
Born: 30 May 1941, Newton, Mass. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Foley's company was
ordered to extricate another company of the battalion. Moving
through the dense jungle to aid the besieged unit, Company A
encountered a strong enemy force occupying well concealed,
defensive positions, and the company's leading element quickly
sustained several casualties. Capt. Foley immediately ran
forward to the scene of the most intense action to direct the
company's efforts. Deploying 1 platoon on the flank, he led the
other 2 platoons in an attack on the enemy in the face of
intense fire. During this action both radio operators
accompanying him were wounded. At grave risk to himself he
defied the enemy's murderous fire, and helped the wounded
operators to a position where they could receive medical care.
As he moved forward again 1 of his machine gun crews was
wounded. Seizing the weapon, he charged forward firing the
machine gun, shouting orders and rallying his men, thus
maintaining the momentum of the attack. Under increasingly heavy
enemy fire he ordered his assistant to take cover and, alone,
Capt. Foley continued to advance firing the machine gun until
the wounded had been evacuated and the attack in this area could
be resumed. When movement on the other flank was halted by the
enemy's fanatical defense, Capt. Foley moved to personally
direct this critical phase of the battle. Leading the renewed
effort he was blown off his feet and wounded by an enemy
grenade. Despite his painful wounds he refused medical aid and
persevered in the forefront of the attack on the enemy redoubt.
He led the assault on several enemy gun emplacements and,
single-handedly, destroyed 3 such positions. His outstanding
personal leadership under intense enemy fire during the fierce
battle which lasted for several hours, inspired his men to
heroic efforts and was instrumental in the ultimate success of
the operation. Capt. Foley's magnificent courage, selfless
concern for his men and professional skill reflect the utmost
credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
*FOLLAND,
MICHAEL FLEMING
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S.
Army, Company D, 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry, 199th Infantry
Brigade. Place and date: Long Khanh, Providence, Republic of
Vietnam, 3 July 1969. Entered service at: Richmond, Va. Born: 15
April 1949, Richmond, Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Folland distinguished himself
while serving as an ammunition bearer with the weapons platoon
of Company D, during a reconnaissance patrol mission. As the
patrol was moving through a dense jungle area, it was caught in
an intense crossfire from heavily fortified and concealed enemy
ambush positions. As the patrol reacted to neutralize the
ambush, it became evident that the heavy weapons could not be
used in the cramped fighting area. Cpl. Folland dropped his
recoilless rifle ammunition, and ran forward to join his
commander in an assault on the enemy bunkers. The assaulting
force moved forward until it was pinned down directly in front
of the heavily fortified bunkers by machine gun fire. Cpl.
Folland stood up to draw enemy fire on himself and to place
suppressive fire on the enemy positions while his commander
attempted to destroy the machine gun positions with grenades.
Before the officer could throw a grenade, an enemy grenade
landed in the position. Cpl. Folland alerted his comrades and
his commander hurled the grenade from the position. When a
second enemy grenade landed in the position, Cpl. Folland again
shouted a warning to his fellow soldiers. Seeing that no one
could reach the grenade and realizing that it was about to
explode, Cpl. Folland, with complete disregard for his safety,
threw himself on the grenade. By his dauntless courage, Cpl.
Folland saved the lives of his comrades although he was mortally
wounded by the explosion. Cpl. Folland's extraordinary heroism,
at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflects great credit
upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*FOSTER,
PAUL HELLSTROM
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S.
Marine Corps Reserve, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine
Division. Place and date: Near Con Thien, Republic of Vietnam,
14 October 1967. Entered service at: San Francisco, Calif. Born:
17 April 1939, San Mateo, Calif. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as an artillery liaison
operations chief with the 2d Battalion. In the early morning
hours the 2d Battalion was occupying a defensive position which
protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thien to Cam Lo.
Suddenly, the marines' position came under a heavy volume of
mortar and artillery fire, followed by an aggressive enemy
ground assault. In the ensuing engagement, the hostile force
penetrated the perimeter and brought a heavy concentration of
small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire to bear on the
battalion command post. Although his position in the fire
support coordination center was dangerously exposed to enemy
fire and he was wounded when an enemy hand grenade exploded near
his position, Sgt. Foster resolutely continued to direct
accurate mortar and artillery fire on the advancing North
Vietnamese troops. As the attack continued, a hand grenade
landed in the midst of Sgt. Foster and his 5 companions.
Realizing the danger, he shouted a warning, threw his armored
vest over the grenade, and unhesitatingly placed his body over
the armored vest. When the grenade exploded, Sgt. Foster
absorbed the entire blast with his body and was mortally
wounded. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from
further injury or possible death. Sgt. Foster's courage,
extraordinary heroism, and unfaltering devotion to duty
reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and
upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He
gallantly gave his life for his country.
FOX,
WESLEY L.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S.
Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine
Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of
Vietnam, 22 February 1969. Entered service at: Leesburg, Va.
Born: 30 September 1931, Herndon, Va. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of
Company A, in action against the enemy in the northern A Shau
Valley. Capt. (then 1st Lt.) Fox's company came under intense
fire from a large well concealed enemy force. Capt. Fox
maneuvered to a position from which he could assess the
situation and confer with his platoon leaders. As they departed
to execute the plan he had devised, the enemy attacked and Capt.
Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the
command group, except the executive officer. Capt. Fox continued
to direct the activity of his company. Advancing through heavy
enemy fire, he personally neutralized 1 enemy position and
calmly ordered an assault against the hostile emplacements. He
then moved through the hazardous area coordinating aircraft
support with the activities of his men. When his executive
officer was mortally wounded, Capt. Fox reorganized the company
and directed the fire of his men as they hurled grenades against
the enemy and drove the hostile forces into retreat. Wounded
again in the final assault, Capt. Fox refused medical attention,
established a defensive posture, and supervised the preparation
of casualties for medical evacuation. His indomitable courage,
inspiring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the
face of grave personal danger inspired his marines to such
aggressive action that they overcame all enemy resistance and
destroyed a large bunker complex. Capt. Fox's heroic actions
reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and
uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*FRATELLENICO,
FRANK R.
Rank and organization Corporal, U.S.
Army, Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st
Airborne Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic
of Vietnam, 19 August 1970. Entered service at: Albany, N.Y.
Born: 14 July 1951, Sharon, Conn. Citation: Cpl. Fratellenico
distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Company
B. Cpl. Fratellenico's squad was pinned down by intensive fire
from 2 well-fortified enemy bunkers. At great personal risk Cpl.
Fratellenico maneuvered forward and, using hand grenades,
neutralized the first bunker which was occupied by a number of
enemy soldiers. While attacking the second bunker, enemy fire
struck Cpl. Fratellenico, causing him to fall to the ground and
drop a grenade which he was preparing to throw. Alert to the
imminent danger to his comrades, Cpl. Fratellenico retrieved the
grenade and fell upon it an instant before it exploded. His
heroic actions prevented death or serious injury to 4 of his
comrades nearby and inspired his unit which subsequently overran
the enemy position. Cpl. Fratellenico's conspicuous gallantry,
extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life,
above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great
credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*FOURNET,
DOUGLAS B.
Rank and organization: First
Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry,
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and date: A Shau Valley,
Republic of Vietnam, 4 May 1968. Entered service at: New
Orleans, La. Born: 7 May 1943, Lake Charles, La. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Fournet,
Infantry, distinguished himself in action while serving as rifle
platoon leader of the 2d Platoon, Company B. While advancing
uphill against fortified enemy positions in the A Shau Valley,
the platoon encountered intense sniper fire, making movement
very difficult. The right flank man suddenly discovered an enemy
claymore mine covering the route of advance and shouted a
warning to his comrades. Realizing that the enemy would also be
alerted, 1st Lt. Fournet ordered his men to take cover and ran
uphill toward the mine, drawing a sheath knife as he approached
it. With complete disregard for his safety and realizing the
imminent danger to members of his command, he used his body as a
shield in front of the mine as he attempted to slash the control
wires leading from the enemy positions to the mine. As he
reached for the wire the mine was detonated, killing him
instantly. Five men nearest the mine were slightly wounded, but
1st Lt. Fournet's heroic and unselfish act spared his men of
serious injury or death. His gallantry and willing
self-sacrifice are in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit, and the U.S. Army.
*FOUS,
JAMES W.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th
Infantry Division. Place and date: Kien Hoa Province, Republic
of Vietnam, 14 May 1968. Entered service at: Omaha, Nebr. Born:
14 October 1946, Omaha, Nebr. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Fous distinguished
himself at the risk of his life while serving as a rifleman with
Company E. Pfc. Fous was participating in a
reconnaissance-in-force mission when his unit formed its
perimeter defense for the night. Pfc. Fous, together with 3
other American soldiers, occupied a position in a thickly
vegetated area facing a woodline. Pfc. Fous detected 3 Viet Cong
maneuvering toward his position and, after alerting the other
men, directed accurate fire upon the enemy soldiers, silencing 2
of them. The third Viet Cong soldier managed to escape in the
thick vegetation after throwing a hand grenade into Pfc. Fous'
position. Without hesitation, Pfc. Fous shouted a warning to his
comrades and leaped upon the lethal explosive, absorbing the
blast with his body to save the lives of the 3 men in the area
at the sacrifice of his life. Pfc. Fous' extraordinary heroism
at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
FRITZ,
HAROLD A.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S.
Army, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Place and date: Binh Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, 11
January 1969. Entered service at: Milwaukee, Wis. Born: 21
February 1944, Chicago, 111. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. Capt. (then 1st Lt.) Fritz, Armor, U.S.
Army, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader
with Troop A, near Quan Loi. Capt. Fritz was leading his
7-vehicle armored column along Highway 13 to meet and escort a
truck convoy when the column suddenly came under intense
crossfire from a reinforced enemy company deployed in ambush
positions. In the initial attack, Capt. Fritz' vehicle was hit
and he was seriously wounded. Realizing that his platoon was
completely surrounded, vastly outnumbered, and in danger of
being overrun, Capt. Fritz leaped to the top of his burning
vehicle and directed the positioning of his remaining vehicles
and men. With complete disregard for his wounds and safety, he
ran from vehicle to vehicle in complete view of the enemy
gunners in order to reposition his men, to improve the defenses,
to assist the wounded, to distribute ammunition, to direct fire,
and to provide encouragement to his men. When a strong enemy
force assaulted the position and attempted to overrun the
platoon, Capt. Fritz manned a machine gun and through his
exemplary action inspired his men to deliver intense and deadly
fire which broke the assault and routed the attackers. Moments
later a second enemy force advanced to within 2 meters of the
position and threatened to overwhelm the defenders. Capt. Fritz,
armed only with a pistol and bayonet, led a small group of his
men in a fierce and daring charge which routed the attackers and
inflicted heavy casualties. When a relief force arrived, Capt.
Fritz saw that it was not deploying effectively against the
enemy positions, and he moved through the heavy enemy fire to
direct its deployment against the hostile positions. This
deployment forced the enemy to abandon the ambush site and
withdraw. Despite his wounds, Capt. Fritz returned to his
position, assisted his men, and refused medical attention until
all of his wounded comrades had been treated and evacuated. The
extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Capt. Fritz,
at the repeated risk of his own life above and beyond the call
of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S.
Army and reflect the greatest credit upon himself, his unit, and
the Armed Forces.
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