VIETNAM WAR
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
(O-P)
*N.B. An asterisk in the
citation indicates that the award was given posthumously.
*OLIVE, MILTON L. III
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d
Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Phu Cuong,
Republic of Vietnam, 22 October 1965. Entered service at:
Chicago, Ill. Born: 7 November 1946, Chicago, Ill. C.O. No.: 18,
26 April 1966. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty. Pfc. Olive was a member of the 3d Platoon of Company B, as
it moved through the jungle to find the Viet Cong operating in
the area. Although the platoon was subjected to a heavy volume
of enemy gunfire and pinned down temporarily, it retaliated by
assaulting the Viet Cong positions, causing the enemy to flee.
As the platoon pursued the insurgents, Pfc. Olive and 4 other
soldiers were moving through the jungle together with a grenade
was thrown into their midst. Pfc. Olive saw the grenade, and
then saved the lives of his fellow soldiers at the sacrifice of
his by grabbing the grenade in his hand and falling on it to
absorb the blast with his body. Through his bravery,
unhesitating actions, and complete disregard for his safety, he
prevented additional loss of life or injury to the members of
his platoon. Pfc. Olive's extraordinary heroism, 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.
*OLSON, KENNETH L.
Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 5th Battalion, 12th
Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Place and
date: Republic of Vietnam, 13 May 1968. Entered service at:
Minneapolis, Minn. Born: 26 May 1945, Willmar, Minn. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Olson
distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a
team leader with Company A. Sp4c. Olson was participating in a
mission to reinforce a reconnaissance platoon which was heavily
engaged with a well-entrenched Viet Cong force. When his platoon
moved into the area of contact and had overrun the first line of
enemy bunkers, Sp4c. Olson and a fellow soldier moved forward of
the platoon to investigate another suspected line of bunkers. As
the 2 men advanced they were pinned down by intense automatic
weapons fire from an enemy position 10 meters to their front.
With complete disregard for his safety, Sp4c. Olson exposed
himself and hurled a hand grenade into the Viet Cong position.
Failing to silence the hostile fire, he again exposed himself to
the intense fire in preparation to assault the enemy position.
As he prepared to hurl the grenade, he was wounded, causing him
to drop the activated device within his own position. Realizing
that it would explode immediately, Sp4c. Olson threw himself
upon the grenade and pulled it in to his body to take the full
force of the explosion. By this unselfish action Sp4c. Olson
sacrificed his own life to save the lives of his fellow
comrades-in-arms. His extraordinary heroism inspired his fellow
soldiers to renew their efforts and totally defeat the enemy
force. Sp4c. Olson's profound courage and intrepidity were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and
reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
O'MALLEY, ROBERT E.
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then
Cpl.), U .S. Marine Corps, Company 1, 3d Battalion, 3d Marine
Regiment, 3d Marine Division (Rein). Place and date: Near An
Cu'ong 2, South Vietnam, 18 August 1965. Entered service at: New
York, N.Y. Born: 3 June 1943, New York, N.Y. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the
communist (Viet Cong) forces at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. While leading his squad in the assault
against a strongly entrenched enemy force, his unit came under
intense small-arms fire. With complete disregard for his
personal safety, Sgt. O'Malley raced across an open rice paddy
to a trench line where the enemy forces were located. Jumping
into the trench, he attacked the Viet Cong with his rifle and
grenades, and singly killed 8 of the enemy. He then led his
squad to the assistance of an adjacent marine unit which was
suffering heavy casualties. Continuing to press forward, he
reloaded his weapon and fired with telling effect into the enemy
emplacement. He personally assisted in the evacuation of several
wounded marines, and again regrouping the remnants of his squad,
he returned to the point of the heaviest fighting. Ordered to an
evacuation point by an officer, Sgt. O'Malley gathered his
besieged and badly wounded squad, and boldly led them under fire
to a helicopter for withdrawal. Although 3 times wounded in this
encounter, and facing imminent death from a fanatic and
determined enemy, he steadfastly refused evacuation and
continued to cover his squad's boarding of the helicopters
while, from an exposed position, he delivered fire against the
enemy until his wounded men were evacuated. Only then, with his
last mission accomplished, did he permit himself to be removed
from the battlefield. By his valor, leadership, and courageous
efforts in behalf of his comrades, he served as an inspiration
to all who observed him, and reflected the highest credit upon
the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
*OUELLET, DAVID G.
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S.
Navy, River Squadron 5, My Tho Detachment 532. Place and date:
Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, 6 March 1967. Entered service
at: Boston, Mass. Born: 13 June, 1944, Newton, Mass. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. As the forward machine
gunner on River Patrol Boat (PBR) 124, which was on patrol
during the early evening hours, Seaman Ouellet observed
suspicious activity near the river bank, alerted his boat
captain, and recommended movement of the boat to the area to
investigate. While the PBR was making a high-speed run along the
river bank, Seaman Ouellet spotted an incoming enemy grenade
falling toward the boat. He immediately left the protected
position of his gun mount and ran aft for the full length of the
speeding boat, shouting to his fellow crewmembers to take cover.
Observing the boat captain standing unprotected on the boat,
Seaman Ouellet bounded on to the engine compartment cover, and
pushed the boat captain down to safety. In the split second that
followed the grenade's landing, and in the face of certain
death, Seaman Ouellet fearlessly placed himself between the
deadly missile and his shipmates, courageously absorbing most of
the blast fragments with his body in order to protect his
shipmates from injury and death. His extraordinary heroism and
his selfless and courageous actions on behalf of his comrades at
the expense of his life were in the finest traditions of the
U.S. Naval Service.
PATTERSON, ROBERT MARTIN
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S.
Army, Troop B, 2d Squadron. 17th Cavalry. Place and date: Near
La Chu, Republic of Vietnam, 6 May 1968. Entered service at:
Raleigh, N.C. Born: 16 April 1948, Durham, N.C. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Patterson (then
Sp4c.) distinguished himself while serving as a fire team leader
of the 3d Platoon, Troop B, during an assault against a North
Vietnamese Army battalion which was entrenched in a heavily
fortified position. When the leading squad of the 3d Platoon was
pinned down by heavy interlocking automatic weapon and rocket
propelled grenade fire from 2 enemy bunkers, Sgt. Patterson and
the 2 other members of his assault team moved forward under a
hail of enemy fire to destroy the bunkers with grenade and
machinegun fire. Observing that his comrades were being fired on
from a third enemy bunker covered by enemy gunners in l-man
spider holes, Sgt. Patterson, with complete disregard for his
safety and ignoring the warning of his comrades that he was
moving into a bunker complex, assaulted and destroyed the
position. Although exposed to intensive small arm and grenade
fire from the bunkers and their mutually supporting
emplacements. Sgt. Patterson continued his assault upon the
bunkers which were impeding the advance of his unit. Sgt.
Patterson single-handedly destroyed by rifle and grenade fire 5
enemy bunkers, killed 8 enemy soldiers and captured 7 weapons.
His dauntless courage and heroism inspired his platoon to resume
the attack and to penetrate the enemy defensive position. Sgt.
Patterson's action at the risk of his life has reflected great
credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*PAUL, JOE C.
Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company H, 2d Battalion, 4th
Marines (Rein), 3d Marine Division (Rein). Place and date: near
Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, 18 August 1965. Entered service
at: Dayton, Ohio. Born: 23 April 1946, Williamsburg, Ky.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty. In violent
battle, L/Cpl. Paul's platoon sustained 5 casualties as it was
temporarily pinned down, by devastating mortar, recoilless
rifle, automatic weapons, and rifle fire delivered by insurgent
communist (Viet Cong) forces in well entrenched positions. The
wounded marines were unable to move from their perilously
exposed positions forward of the remainder of their platoon, and
were suddenly subjected to a barrage of white phosphorous rifle
grenades. L/Cpl. Paul, fully aware that his tactics would almost
certainly result in serious injury or death to himself, chose to
disregard his safety and boldly dashed across the fire-swept
rice paddies, placed himself between his wounded comrades and
the enemy, and delivered effective suppressive fire with his
automatic weapon in order to divert the attack long enough to
allow the casualties to be evacuated. Although critically
wounded during the course of the battle, he resolutely remained
in his exposed position and continued to fire his rifle until he
collapsed and was evacuated. By his fortitude and gallant spirit
of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, he saved
the lives of several of his fellow marines. His heroic action
served to inspire all who observed him and reflect the highest
credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.
PENRY, RICHARD A.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S.
Army, Company C, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Infantry
Brigade. Place and date: Binh Tuy Province, Republic of Vietnam,
31 January 1970. Entered service at: Oakland, Calif. Born: 18
November 1948, Petaluma. Calif. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Penry, Company C,
distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman during a night
ambush mission. As the platoon was preparing the ambush
position, it suddenly came under an intense enemy attack from
mortar, rocket, and automatic weapons fire which seriously
wounded the company commander and most of the platoon members,
leaving small isolated groups of wounded men throughout the
area. Sgt. Penry, seeing the extreme seriousness of the
situation, worked his way through the deadly enemy fire to the
company command post where he administered first aid to the
wounded company commander and other personnel. He then moved the
command post to a position which provided greater protection and
visual communication and control of other platoon elements.
Realizing the company radio was damaged and recognizing the
urgent necessity to reestablish communications with the
batt!lion headquarters, he ran outside the defensive perimeter
through a fusillade of hostile fire to retrieve a radio. Finding
it inoperable, Sgt. Penry returned through heavy fire to
retrieve 2 more radios. Turning his attention to the defense of
the area, he crawled to the edge of the perimeter, retrieved
needed ammunition and weapons and resupplied the wounded men.
During a determined assault by over 30 enemy soldiers, Sgt.
Penry occupied the most vulnerable forward position placing
heavy, accurate fire on the attacking enemy and exposing himself
several times to throw hand grenades into the advancing enemy
troops. He succeeded virtually single-handedly in stopping the
attack. Learning that none of the radios were operable, Sgt.
Penry again crawled outside the defensive perimeter, retrieved a
fourth radio and established communications with higher
headquarters. Sgt. Penry then continued to administer first aid
to the wounded and repositioned them to better repel further
enemy attacks. Despite continuous and deadly sniper fire, he
again left the defensive perimeter, moved to within a few feet
of enemy positions, located 5 isolated wounded soldiers, and led
them to safety. When evacuation helicopters approached, Sgt.
Penry voluntarily left the perimeter, set up a guiding beacon,
established the priorities for evacuation and successively
carried 18 wounded men to the extraction site. After all wounded
personnel had been evacuated, Sgt. Penry joined another platoon
and assisted in the pursuit of the enemy. Sgt. Penry's
extraordinary heroism at the risk of his own life are in keeping
with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect
great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*PERKINS, WILLIAM THOMAS, JR.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S.
Marine Corps, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine
Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of
Vietnam, 12 October 1967. Entered service at: San Francisco,
Calif. Born: 10 August 1947, Rochester, N.Y. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a combat
photographer attached to Company C. During Operation MEDINA, a
major reconnaissance in force southwest of Quang Tri, Company C
made heavy combat contact with a numerically superior North
Vietnamese Army force estimated at from 2 to 3 companies. The
focal point of the intense fighting was a helicopter landing
zone which was also serving as the Command Post of Company C. In
the course of a strong hostile attack, an enemy grenade landed
in the immediate area occupied by Cpl. Perkins and 3 other
marines. Realizing the inherent danger, he shouted the warning,
"Incoming Grenade" to his fellow marines, and in a
valiant act of heroism, hurled himself upon the grenade
absorbing the impact of the explosion with his body, thereby
saving the lives of his comrades at the cost of his life.
Through his exceptional courage and inspiring valor in the face
of certain death, Cpl. Perkins 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 .
*PETERS, LAWRENCE DAVID
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S.
Marine Corps, Company M, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine
Division. Place and date: Quang Tin Province, Republic of
Vietnam, 4 September 1967. Entered service at: Binghamton, N.Y.
Born: 16 September 1946, Johnson City, N.Y. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad
leader with Company M. During Operation SWIFT, the marines of
the 2d Platoon of Company M were struck by intense mortar,
machinegun, and small arms fire from an entrenched enemy force.
As the company rallied its forces, Sgt. Peters maneuvered his
squad in an assault on any enemy defended knoll. Disregarding
his safety, as enemy rounds hit all about him, he stood in the
open, pointing out enemy positions until he was painfully
wounded in the leg. Disregarding his wound, he moved forward and
continued to lead his men. As the enemy fire increased in
accuracy and volume, his squad lost its momentum and was
temporarily pinned down. Exposing himself to devastating enemy
fire, he consolidated his position to render more effective
fire. While directing the base of fire, he was wounded a second
time in the face and neck from an exploding mortar round. As the
enemy attempted to infiltrate the position of an adjacent
platoon, Sgt. Peters stood erect in the full view of the enemy
firing burst after burst forcing them to disclose their
camouflaged positions. Sgt. Peters steadfastly continued to
direct his squad in spite of 2 additional wounds, persisted in
his efforts to encourage and supervise his men until he lost
consciousness and succumbed. Inspired by his selfless actions,
the squad regained fire superiority and once again carried the
assault to the enemy. By his outstanding valor, indomitable
fighting spirit and tenacious determination in the face of
overwhelming odds, Sgt. Peters upheld the highest traditions of
the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave
his life for his country.
*PETERSEN, DANNY J.
Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 23d Infantry,
25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh Province,
Republic of Vietnam, 9 January 1970. Entered service at: Kansas
City, Mo. Born: 11 March 1949, Horton, Kans. Citation: Sp4c.
Petersen distinguished himself while serving as an armored
personnel carrier commander with Company B during a combat
operation against a North Vietnamese Army Force estimated to be
of battalion size. During the initial contact with the enemy, an
armored personnel carrier was disabled and the crewmen were
pinned down by the heavy onslaught of enemy small arms,
automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Sp4c.
Petersen immediately maneuvered his armored personnel carrier to
a position between the disabled vehicle and the enemy. He placed
suppressive fire on the enemy's well-fortified position, thereby
enabling the crewmembers of the disabled personnel carrier to
repair their vehicle. He then maneuvered his vehicle, while
still under heavy hostile fire to within 10 feet of the enemy's
defensive emplacement. After a period of intense fighting, his
vehicle received a direct hit and the driver was wounded. With
extraordinary courage and selfless disregard for his own safety,
Sp4c. Petersen carried his wounded comrade 45 meters across the
bullet-swept field to a secure area. He then voluntarily
returned to his disabled armored personnel carrier to provide
covering fire for both the other vehicles and the dismounted
personnel of his platoon as they withdrew. Despite heavy fire
from 3 sides, he remained with his disabled vehicle, alone and
completely exposed. Sp4c. Petersen was standing on top of his
vehicle, firing his weapon, when he was mortally wounded. His
heroic and selfless actions prevented further loss of life in
his platoon. Sp4c. Petersen's conspicuous gallantry and
extraordinary heroism are in the highest traditions of the
service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S.
Army.
*PHIPPS, JIMMY W.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company B, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st
Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Near An Hoa,
Republic of Vietnam, 27 May 1969. Entered service at: Culver
City, Calif. Born: 1 November 1950, Santa Monica, Calif.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a
combat engineer with Company B in connection with combat
operations against the enemy. Pfc. Phipps was a member of a
2-man combat engineer demolition team assigned to locate and
destroy enemy artillery ordnance and concealed firing devices.
After he had expended all of his explosives and blasting caps,
Pfc. Phipps discovered a 175mm high explosive artillery round in
a rice paddy. Suspecting that the enemy had attached the
artillery round to a secondary explosive device, he warned other
marines in the area to move to covered positions and prepared to
destroy the round with a hand grenade. As he was attaching the
hand grenade to a stake beside the artillery round, the fuse of
the enemy's secondary explosive device ignited. Realizing that
his assistant and the platoon commander were both within a few
meters of him and that the imminent explosion could kill all 3
men, Pfc. Phipps grasped the hand grenade to his chest and dived
forward to cover the enemy's explosive and the artillery round
with his body, thereby shielding his companions from the
detonation while absorbing the full and tremendous impact with
his body. Pfc. Phipps' indomitable courage, inspiring
initiative, and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of 2
marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps
and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his
country .
*PIERCE, LARRY S.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S.
Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion
(Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and
date: Near Ben Cat, Republic of Vietnam, 20 September 1965.
Entered service at: Fresno, Calif. Born: 6 July 1941, Wewoka,
Okla. G.O. No.: 7, 24 February 1966. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty. Sgt. Pierce was serving as squad leader in a
reconnaissance platoon when his patrol was ambushed by hostile
forces. Through his inspiring leadership and personal courage,
the squad succeeded in eliminating an enemy machinegun and
routing the opposing force. While pursuing the fleeing enemy,
the squad came upon a dirt road and, as the main body of his men
entered the road, Sgt. Pierce discovered an antipersonnel mine
emplaced in the road bed. Realizing that the mine could destroy
the majority of his squad, Sgt. Pierce saved the lives of his
men at the sacrifice of his life by throwing himself directly
onto the mine as it exploded. Through his indomitable courage,
complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his
fellow soldiers, he averted loss of life and injury to the
members of his squad. Sgt. Pierce's extraordinary heroism, at
the cost of his life, are in the highest traditions of the U.S.
Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces
of his country.
PITTMAN, RICHARD A.
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then
L/Cpl.), U.S. Marine Corps, Company 1, 3d Battalion, 5th
Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF. Place and date: near
the Demilitarized Zone, Republic of Vietnam, 24 July 1966.
Entered service at: Stockton, Calif. Born: 26 May 1945, French
Camp, San Joaquin, Calif. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. While Company 1 was conducting an operation along
the axis of a narrow jungle trail, the leading company elements
suffered numerous casualties when they suddenly came under heavy
fire from a well concealed and numerically superior enemy force.
Hearing the engaged marines' calls for more firepower, Sgt.
Pittman quickly exchanged his rifle for a machinegun and several
belts of ammunition, left the relative safety of his platoon,
and unhesitatingly rushed forward to aid his comrades. Taken
under intense enemy small-arms fire at point blank range during
his advance, he returned the fire, silencing the enemy position.
As Sgt. Pittman continued to forge forward to aid members of the
leading platoon, he again came under heavy fire from 2 automatic
weapons which he promptly destroyed. Learning that there were
additional wounded marines 50 yards further along the trail, he
braved a withering hail of enemy mortar and small-arms fire to
continue onward. As he reached the position where the leading
marines had fallen, he was suddenly confronted with a bold
frontal attack by 30 to 40 enemy. Totally disregarding his
safety, he calmly established a position in the middle of the
trail and raked the advancing enemy with devastating machinegun
fire. His weapon rendered ineffective, he picked up an enemy
submachinegun and, together with a pistol seized from a fallen
comrade, continued his lethal fire until the enemy force had
withdrawn. Having exhausted his ammunition except for a grenade
which he hurled at the enemy, he then rejoined his platoon. Sgt.
Pittman's daring initiative, bold fighting spirit and selfless
devotion to duty inflicted many enemy casualties, disrupted the
enemy attack and saved the lives of many of his wounded
comrades. His personal valor at grave risk to himself reflects
the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S.
Naval Service.
*PITTS, RILEY L.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S.
Army, Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry
Division. Place and date: Ap Dong, Republic of Vietnam, 31
October 1967. Entered service at: Wichita, Kans. Born: 15
October 1937, Fallis, Okla. Citation: Distinguishing himself by
exceptional heroism while serving as company commander during an
airmobile assault. Immediately after his company landed in the
area, several Viet Cong opened fire with automatic weapons.
Despite the enemy fire, Capt. Pitts forcefully led an assault
which overran the enemy positions. Shortly thereafter, Capt.
Pitts was ordered to move his unit to the north to reinforce
another company heavily engaged against a strong enemy force. As
Capt. Pitts' company moved forward to engage the enemy, intense
fire was received from 3 directions, including fire from 4 enemy
bunkers, 2 of which were within 15 meters of Capt. Pitts'
position. The severity of the incoming fire prevented Capt.
Pitts from maneuvering his company. His rifle fire proving
ineffective against the enemy due to the dense jungle foliage,
he picked up an M-79 grenade launcher and began pinpointing the
targets. Seizing a Chinese Communist grenade which had been
taken from a captured Viet Cong's web gear, Capt. Pitts lobbed
the grenade at a bunker to his front, but it hit the dense
jungle foliage and rebounded. Without hesitation, Capt. Pitts
threw himself on top of the grenade which, fortunately, failed
to explode. Capt. Pitts then directed the repositioning of the
company to permit friendly artillery to be fired. Upon
completion of the artillery fire mission, Capt. Pitts again led
his men toward the enemy positions, personally killing at least
1 more Viet Cong. The jungle growth still prevented effective
fire to be placed on the enemy bunkers. Capt. Pitts, displaying
complete disregard for his life and personal safety, quickly
moved to a position which permitted him to place effective fire
on the enemy. He maintained a continuous fire, pinpointing the
enemy's fortified positions, while at the same time directing
and urging his men forward, until he was mortally wounded. Capt.
Pitts' conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and
intrepidity at the cost 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, his unit, and the Armed
Forces of his country.
PLESS, STEPHEN W.
Rank and organization: Major (then
Capt.), U.S. Marine Corps, VMD-6, Mag-36, 1st Marine Aircraft
Wing. Place and date: Near Quang Nai, Republic of Vietnam, 19
August 1967. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 6 September
1939, Newman, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty while serving as a helicopter gunship pilot attached to
Marine Observation Squadron 6 in action against enemy forces.
During an escort mission Maj. Pless monitored an emergency call
that 4 American soldiers stranded on a nearby beach were being
overwhelmed by a large Viet Cong force. Maj. Pless flew to the
scene and found 30 to 50 enemy soldiers in the open. Some of the
enemy were bayoneting and beating the downed Americans. Maj.
Pless displayed exceptional airmanship as he launched a
devastating attack against the enemy force, killing or wounding
many of the enemy and driving the remainder back into a treeline.
His rocket and machinegun attacks were made at such low levels
that the aircraft flew through debris created by explosions from
its rockets. Seeing 1 of the wounded soldiers gesture for
assistance, he maneuvered his helicopter into a position between
the wounded men and the enemy, providing a shield which
permitted his crew to retrieve the wounded. During the rescue
the enemy directed intense fire at the helicopter and rushed the
aircraft again and again, closing to within a few feet before
being beaten back. When the wounded men were aboard, Maj. Pless
maneuvered the helicopter out to sea. Before it became safely
airborne, the overloaded aircraft settled 4 times into the
water. Displaying superb airmanship, he finally got the
helicopter aloft. Major Pless' extraordinary heroism coupled
with his outstanding flying skill prevented the annihilation of
the tiny force. His courageous actions reflect great credit upon
himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps
and the U.S. Naval Service.
*PORT, WILLIAM D.
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then
Pfc.), U.S. Army, Company C, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Air
Cavalry Division. Place and date: Que Son Valley, Heip Duc
Province, Republic of Vietnam, 12 January 1968. Entered service
at: Harrisburg, Pa. Born: 13 October 1941, Petersburg, Pa.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Port
distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Company
C, which was conducting combat operations against an enemy force
in the Que Son Valley. As Sgt. Port's platoon was moving to cut
off a reported movement of enemy soldiers, the platoon came
under heavy fire from an entrenched enemy force. The platoon was
forced to withdraw due to the intensity and ferocity of the
fire. Although wounded in the hand as the withdrawal began, Sgt.
Port, with complete disregard for his safety, ran through the
heavy fire to assist a wounded comrade back to the safety of the
platoon perimeter. As the enemy forces assaulted in the
perimeter, Sgt. Port and 3 comrades were in position behind an
embankment when an enemy grenade landed in their midst. Sgt.
Port, realizing the danger to his fellow soldiers, shouted the
warning, "Grenade," and unhesitatingly hurled himself
towards the grenade to shield his comrades from the explosion.
Through his exemplary courage and devotion he saved the lives of
his fellow soldiers and gave the members of his platoon the
inspiration needed to hold their position. Sgt. Port's selfless
concern for his comrades, at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest
tradition of the military service and reflect great credit on
himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*POXON, ROBERT LESLIE
Rank and organization: First
Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st
Cavalry Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of
Vietnam, 2 June 1969. Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. Born: 3
January 1947, Detroit, Mich. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Poxon, Armor, Troop B,
distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader on a
reconnaissance mission. Landing by helicopter in an area
suspected of being occupied by the enemy, the platoon came under
intense fire from enemy soldiers in concealed positions and
fortifications around the landing zone. A soldier fell, hit by
the first burst of fire. 1st Lt. Poxon dashed to his aid,
drawing the majority of the enemy fire as he crossed 20 meters
of open ground. The fallen soldier was beyond help and 1st Lt.
Poxon was seriously and painfully wounded. 1st Lt. Poxon, with
indomitable courage, refused medical aid and evacuation and
turned his attention to seizing the initiative from the enemy.
With sure instinct he marked a central enemy bunker as the key
to success. Quickly instructing his men to concentrate their
fire on the bunker, and in spite of his wound, 1st Lt. Poxon
crawled toward the bunker, readied a hand grenade and charged.
He was hit again but continued his assault. After succeeding in
silencing the enemy guns in the bunker he was struck once again
by enemy fire and fell, mortally wounded. 1st Lt. Poxon's
comrades followed their leader, pressed the attack and drove the
enemy from their positions. 1st Lt. Poxon's gallantry,
indomitable will, and courage are in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*PROM, WILLIAM R.
Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company 1, 3d Battalion, 3d
Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Near An
Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. 9 February 1969. Entered service at:
Pittsburgh, Pa. Born: 17 November 1948, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a
machinegun squad leader with Company 1, in action against the
enemy. While returning from a reconnaissance operation during
Operation TAYLOR COMMON, 2 platoons of Company 1 came under an
intense automatic weapons fire and grenade attack from a well
concealed North Vietnamese Army force in fortified positions.
The leading. element of the platoon was isolated and several
marines were wounded. L/Cpl. Prom immediately assumed control of
1 of his machineguns and began to deliver return fire.
Disregarding his safety he advanced to a position from which he
could more effectively deliver covering fire while first aid was
administered to the wounded men. Realizing that the enemy would
have to be destroyed before the injured marines could be
evacuated, L/Cpl. Prom again moved forward and delivered a heavy
volume of fire with such accuracy that he was instrumental in
routing the enemy, thus permitting his men to regroup and resume
their march. Shortly thereafter, the platoon again came under
heavy fire in which 1 man was critically wounded. Reacting
instantly, L/Cpl. Prom moved forward to protect his injured
comrade. Unable to continue his fire because of his severe
wounds, he continued to advance to within a few yards to the
enemy positions. There, standing in full view of the enemy, he
accurately directed the fire of his support elements until he
was mortally wounded. Inspired by his heroic actions, the
marines launched an assault that destroyed the enemy. L/Cpl.
Prom's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless
devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine
Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for
his country.
*PRUDEN, ROBERT J.
Rank and organization: Staff
Sergeant, U.S. Army, 75th Infantry, Americal Division. Place and
date: Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, 29 November
1969. Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn. Born: 9 September
1949, St. Paul, Minn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty. S/Sgt. Pruden, Company G, distinguished
himself while serving as a reconnaissance team leader during an
ambush mission. The 6-man team was inserted by helicopter into
enemy controlled territory to establish an ambush position and
to obtain information concerning enemy movements. As the team
moved into the preplanned area, S/Sgt. Pruden deployed his men
into 2 groups on the opposite sides of a well used trail. As the
groups were establishing their defensive positions, 1 member of
the team was trapped in the open by the heavy fire from an enemy
squad. Realizing that the ambush position had been compromised,
S/Sgt. Pruden directed his team to open fire on the enemy force.
Immediately, the team came under heavy fire from a second enemy
element. S/Sgt. Pruden, with full knowledge of the extreme
danger involved, left his concealed position and, firing as he
ran, advanced toward the enemy to draw the hostile fire. He was
seriously wounded twice but continued his attack until he fell
for a third time, in front of the enemy positions. S/Sgt.
Pruden's actions resulted in several enemy casualties and
withdrawal of the remaining enemy force. Although grievously
wounded, he directed his men into defensive positions and called
for evacuation helicopters, which safely withdrew the members of
the team. S/Sgt. Pruden's outstanding courage, selfless concern
for the welfare of his men, and intrepidity 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.
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