VIETNAM WAR
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
(U-W)
*N.B. An asterisk in the
citation indicates that the award was given posthumously.
VARGAS, M. SANDO, JR.
Rank and organization: Major (then
Capt.), U.S. Marine Corps, Company G, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines,
9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. Place and date: Dai Do, Republic
of Vietnam, 30 April to 2 May 1968. Entered service at: Winslow,
Ariz. Born: 29 July 1940, Winslow, Ariz. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding
officer, Company G, in action against enemy forces from 30 April
to 2 May 1968. On 1 May 1968, though suffering from wounds he
had incurred while relocating his unit under heavy enemy fire
the preceding day, Maj. Vargas combined Company G with two other
companies and led his men in an attack on the fortified village
of Dai Do. Exercising expert leadership, he maneuvered his
marines across 700 meters of open rice paddy while under intense
enemy mortar, rocket and artillery fire and obtained a foothold
in 2 hedgerows on the enemy perimeter, only to have elements of
his company become pinned down by the intense enemy fire.
Leading his reserve platoon to the aid of his beleaguered men,
Maj. Vargas inspired his men to renew their relentless advance,
while destroying a number of enemy bunkers. Again wounded by
grenade fragments, he refused aid as he moved about the
hazardous area reorganizing his unit into a strong defense
perimeter at the edge of the village. Shortly after the
objective was secured the enemy commenced a series of
counterattacks and probes which lasted throughout the night but
were unsuccessful as the gallant defenders of Company G stood
firm in their hard-won enclave. Reinforced the following
morning, the marines launched a renewed assault through Dai Do
on the village of Dinh To, to which the enemy retaliated with a
massive counterattack resulting in hand-to-hand combat. Maj.
Vargas remained in the open, encouraging and rendering
assistance to his marines when he was hit for the third time in
the 3-day battle. Observing his battalion commander sustain a
serious wound, he disregarded his excruciating pain, crossed the
fire-swept area and carried his commander to a covered position,
then resumed supervising and encouraging his men while
simultaneously assisting in organizing the battalion's perimeter
defense. His gallant actions uphold the highest traditions of
the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
*WARREN, JOHN E., JR.
Rank and organization: First
Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company C, 2d Battalion, (Mechanized),
22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh
Province, Republic of Vietnam, 14 January 1969. Entered service
at: New York, N.Y . Born: 16 November 1946, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt.
Warren, distinguished himself at the cost of his life while
serving as a platoon leader with Company C. While moving through
a rubber plantation to reinforce another friendly unit, Company
C came under intense fire from a well-fortified enemy force.
Disregarding his safety, 1st Lt. Warren with several of his men
began maneuvering through the hail of enemy fire toward the
hostile positions. When he had come to within 6 feet of one of
the enemy bunkers and was preparing to toss a hand grenade into
it, an enemy grenade was suddenly thrown into the middle of his
small group. Thinking only of his men, 1st Lt. Warren fell in
the direction of the grenade, thus shielding those around him
from the blast. His action, performed at the cost of his life,
saved 3 men from serious or mortal injury. First Lt. Warren's
ultimate action of sacrifice to save the lives of his men was in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and
reflects great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
*WATTERS, CHARLES JOSEPH
Rank and organization: Chaplain
(Maj.), U .S. Army, Company A, 173d Support Battalion, 173d
Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Near Dak To Province, Republic
of Vietnam, 19 November 1967. Entered service at: Fort Dix, N.J.
Born: 17 January 1927, Jersey City, N.J. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty. Chaplain Watters
distinguished himself during an assault in the vicinity of Dak
To. Chaplain Watters was moving with one of the companies when
it engaged a heavily armed enemy battalion. As the battle raged
and the casualties mounted, Chaplain Watters, with complete
disregard for his safety, rushed forward to the line of contact.
Unarmed and completely exposed, he moved among, as well as in
front of the advancing troops, giving aid to the wounded,
assisting in their evacuation, giving words of encouragement,
and administering the last rites to the dying. When a wounded
paratrooper was standing in shock in front of the assaulting
forces, Chaplain Watters ran forward, picked the man up on his
shoulders and carried him to safety. As the troopers battled to
the first enemy entrenchment, Chaplain Watters ran through the
intense enemy fire to the front of the entrenchment to aid a
fallen comrade. A short time later, the paratroopers pulled back
in preparation for a second assault. Chaplain Watters exposed
himself to both friendly and enemy fire between the 2 forces in
order to recover 2 wounded soldiers. Later, when the battalion
was forced to pull back into a perimeter, Chaplain Watters
noticed that several wounded soldiers were Lying outside the
newly formed perimeter. Without hesitation and ignoring attempts
to restrain him, Chaplain Watters left the perimeter three times
in the face of small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire to
carry and to assist the injured troopers to safety. Satisfied
that all of the wounded were inside the perimeter, he began
aiding the medics--applying field bandages to open wounds,
obtaining and serving food and water, giving spiritual and
mental strength and comfort. During his ministering, he moved
out to the perimeter from position to position redistributing
food and water, and tending to the needs of his men. Chaplain
Watters was giving aid to the wounded when he himself was
mortally wounded. Chaplain Watters' unyielding perseverance and
selfless devotion to his comrades was in keeping with the
highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
*WAYRYNEN, DALE EUGENE
Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry,
1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Quang Ngai,
Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 May 1967. Entered service at:
Minneapolis, Minn. Born: 18 January 1947, Moose Lake, Minn.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c.
Wayrynen distinguished himself with Company B, during combat
operations near Duc Pho. His platoon was assisting in the night
evacuation of the wounded from an earlier enemy contact when the
lead man of the unit met face to face with a Viet Cong soldier.
The American's shouted warning also alerted the enemy who
immediately swept the area with automatic weapons fire from a
strongly built bunker close to the trail and threw hand grenades
from another nearby fortified position. Almost immediately, the
lead man was wounded and knocked from his feet. Sp4c. Wayrynen,
the second man in the formation, leaped beyond his fallen
comrade to kill another enemy soldier who appeared on the trail,
and he dragged his injured companion back to where the point
squad had taken cover. Suddenly, a live enemy grenade landed in
the center of the tightly grouped men. Sp4c. Wayrynen, quickly
assessing the danger to the entire squad as well as to his
platoon leader who was nearby, shouted a warning, pushed one
soldier out of the way, and threw himself on the grenade at the
moment it exploded. He was mortally wounded. His deep and
abiding concern for his fellow soldiers was significantly
reflected in his supreme and courageous act that preserved the
lives of his comrades. Sp4c. Wayrynen's heroic actions are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the service, and they
reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
*WEBER, LESTER W.
Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company M, 3d Battalion, 7th
Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Nam
Province, Republic of Vietnam, 23 February 1969. Entered service
at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 30 July 1948, Aurora, Ill. 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 M, in action against the enemy. The 2d
Platoon of Company M was dispatched to the Bo Ban area of Hieu
Duc District to assist a squad from another platoon which had
become heavily engaged with a well entrenched enemy battalion.
While moving through a rice paddy covered with tall grass L/Cpl.
Weber's platoon came under heavy attack from concealed hostile
soldiers. He reacted by plunging into the tall grass,
successfully attacking 1 enemy and forcing 11 others to break
contact. Upon encountering a second North Vietnamese Army
soldier he overwhelmed him in fierce hand-to-hand combat.
Observing 2 other soldiers firing upon his comrades from behind
a dike, L/Cpl. Weber ignored the frenzied firing of the enemy
and racing across the hazardous area, dived into their position.
He neutralized the position by wrestling weapons from the hands
of the 2 soldiers and overcoming them. Although by now the
target for concentrated fire from hostile riflemen, L/Cpl. Weber
remained in a dangerously exposed position to shout words of
encouragement to his emboldened companions. As he moved forward
to attack a fifth enemy soldier, he was mortally wounded. L/Cpl.
Weber's indomitable courage, aggressive fighting spirit and
unwavering devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave
his life for his country.
WETZEL, GARY GEORGE
Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class (then Pfc.), U.S. Army, 173d Assault Helicopter
Company. Place and date: Near Ap Dong An, Republic of Vietnam, 8
January 1968. Entered service at: Milwaukee, Wis. Born: 29
September 1947, South Milwaukee, Wis. Citation. Sp4c. Wetzel,
173d Assault Helicopter Company, distinguished himself by
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life.
above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Wetzel was serving as
door gunner aboard a helicopter which was part of an insertion
force trapped in a landing zone by intense and deadly hostile
fire. Sp4c. Wetzel was going to the aid of his aircraft
commander when he was blown into a rice paddy and critically
wounded by 2 enemy rockets that exploded just inches from his
location. Although bleeding profusely due to the loss of his
left arm and severe wounds in his right arm, chest, and left
leg, Sp4c. Wetzel staggered back to his original position in his
gun-well and took the enemy forces under fire. His machinegun
was the only weapon placing effective fire on the enemy at that
time. Through a resolve that overcame the shock and intolerable
pain of his injuries, Sp4c. Wetzel remained at his position
until he had eliminated the automatic weapons emplacement that
had been inflicting heavy casualties on the American troops and
preventing them from moving against this strong enemy force.
Refusing to attend his own extensive wounds, he attempted to
return to the aid of his aircraft commander but passed out from
loss of blood. Regaining consciousness, he persisted in his
efforts to drag himself to the aid of his fellow crewman. After
an agonizing effort, he came to the side of the crew chief who
was attempting to drag the wounded aircraft commander to the
safety of a nearby dike. Unswerving in his devotion to his
fellow man, Sp4c. Wetzel assisted his crew chief even though the
lost consciousness once again during this action. Sp4c. Wetzel
displayed extraordinary heroism in his efforts to aid his fellow
crewmen. His gallant actions were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon
himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
*WHEAT, ROY M.
Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th
Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Republic of
Vietnam, 11 August 1967. Entered service a*: Jackson, Miss.
Born: 24 July 1947, Moselle, Miss. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. L/Cpl. Wheat and 2 other marines were
assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy
construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty
Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District, Quang Nam
Province. After the marines had set up security positions in a
tree line adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered
the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence
of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the
friendly position, and here unintentionally triggered a well
concealed, bounding type, antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a
hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 marines as
that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades,
L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the
mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his
body. The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor
of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain
injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself,
and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the
U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*WICKAM, JERRY WAYNE
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S.
Army, Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Place
and date: Near Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, 6 January 1968.
Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 19 January 1942,
Rockford, Ill. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty. Cpl. Wickam, distinguished himself while
serving with Troop F. Troop F was conducting a reconnaissance in
force mission southwest of Loc Ninh when the lead element of the
friendly force was subjected to a heavy barrage of rocket,
automatic weapons, and small arms fire from a well concealed
enemy bunker complex. Disregarding the intense fire, Cpl. Wickam
leaped from his armored vehicle and assaulted one of the enemy
bunkers and threw a grenade into it, killing 2 enemy soldiers.
He moved into the bunker, and with the aid of another soldier,
began to remove the body of one Viet Cong when he detected the
sound of an enemy grenade being charged. Cpl. Wickam warned his
comrade and physically pushed him away from the grenade thus
protecting him from the force of the blast. When a second Viet
Cong bunker was discovered, he ran through a hail of enemy fire
to deliver deadly fire into the bunker, killing one enemy
soldier. He also captured 1 Viet Cong who later provided
valuable information on enemy activity in the Loc Ninh area.
After the patrol withdrew and an air strike was conducted, Cpl.
Wickam led his men back to evaluate the success of the strike.
They were immediately attacked again by enemy fire. Without
hesitation, he charged the bunker from which the fire was being
directed, enabling the remainder of his men to seek cover. He
threw a grenade inside of the enemy's position killing 2 Viet
Cong and destroying the bunker. Moments later he was mortally
wounded by enemy fire. Cpl. Wickam's 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
and the U.S. Army.
*WILBANKS, HILLIARD A.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S.
Air Force, 21st. Tactical Air Support Squadron, Nha Trang AFB,
RVN. Place and date: Near Dalat, Republic of Vietnam, 24
February 1967. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 26 July
1933, Cornelia, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty. As a forward air controller Capt. Wilbanks was
pilot of an unarmed, light aircraft flying visual reconnaissance
ahead of a South Vietnam Army Ranger Battalion. His intensive
search revealed a well-concealed and numerically superior
hostile force poised to ambush the advancing rangers. The Viet
Cong, realizing that Capt. Wilbanks' discovery had compromised
their position and ability to launch a surprise attack,
immediately fired on the small aircraft with all available
firepower. The enemy then began advancing against the exposed
forward elements of the ranger force which were pinned down by
devastating fire. Capt. Wilbanks recognized that close support
aircraft could not arrive in time to enable the rangers to
withstand the advancing enemy, onslaught. With full knowledge of
the limitations of his unarmed, unarmored, light reconnaissance
aircraft, and the great danger imposed by the enemy's vast
firepower, he unhesitatingly assumed a covering, close support
role. Flying through a hail of withering fire at treetop level,
Capt. Wilbanks passed directly over the advancing enemy and
inflicted many casualties by firing his rifle out of the side
window of his aircraft. Despite increasingly intense
antiaircraft fire, Capt. Wilbanks continued to completely
disregard his own safety and made repeated low passes over the
enemy to divert their fire away from the rangers. His daring
tactics successfully interrupted the enemy advance, allowing the
rangers to withdraw to safety from their perilous position.
During his final courageous attack to protect the withdrawing
forces, Capt. Wilbanks was mortally wounded and his
bullet-riddled aircraft crashed between the opposing forces.
Capt. Wilbanks' magnificent action saved numerous friendly
personnel from certain injury or death. His unparalleled concern
for his fellow man and his extraordinary heroism were in the
highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected
great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.
*WILLETT, LOUIS E.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th
Infantry Division. Place and date: Kontum Province, Republic of
Vietnam, 15 February 1967. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Born: 19 June 1945, Brooklyn, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Willett distinguished himself
while serving as a rifleman in Company C, during combat
operations. His squad was conducting a security sweep when it
made contact with a large enemy force. The squad was immediately
engaged with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and pinned
to the ground. Despite the deadly fusillade, Pfc. Willett rose
to his feet firing rapid bursts from his weapon and moved to a
position from which he placed highly effective fire on the
enemy. His action allowed the remainder of his squad to begin to
withdraw from the superior enemy force toward the company
perimeter. Pfc. Willett covered the squad's withdrawal, but his
position drew heavy enemy machinegun fire, and he received
multiple wounds enabling the enemy again to pin down the
remainder of the squad. Pfc. Willett struggled to an upright
position, and, disregarding his painful wounds, he again engaged
the enemy with his rifle to allow his squad to continue its
movement and to evacuate several of his comrades who were by now
wounded. Moving from position to position, he engaged the enemy
at close range until he was mortally wounded. By his unselfish
acts of bravery, Pfc. Willett insured the withdrawal of his
comrades to the company position, saving their lives at the cost
of his life. Pfc. Willett's valorous actions were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great
credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
WILLIAMS, CHARLES Q.
Rank and organization: First
Lieutenant (then 2d Lt.), U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group.
Place and date: Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, 9 to 10 June
1965. Entered service at: Fort Jackson, S.C. Born: 17 September
1933, Charleston, S.C. G.O. No.: 30, 5 July 1966. Citation: 1st
Lt. Williams distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty while defending the Special Forces Camp against a violent
attack by hostile forces that lasted for 14 hours. 1st Lt.
Williams was serving as executive officer of a Special Forces
Detachment when an estimated Vietcong reinforced regiment struck
the camp and threatened to overrun it and the adjacent district
headquarters. He awoke personnel, organized them, determined the
source of the insurgents' main effort and led the troops to
their defensive positions on the south and west walls. Then,
after running to the District Headquarters to establish
communications, he found that there was no radio operational
with which to communicate with his commanding officer in another
compound. To reach the other compound, he traveled through
darkness but was halted in this effort by a combination of
shrapnel in his right leg and the increase of the Vietcong
gunfire. Ignoring his wound, he returned to the district
headquarters and directed the defense against the first assault.
As the insurgents attempted to scale the walls and as some of
the Vietnamese defenders began to retreat, he dashed through a
barrage of gunfire, succeeded in rallying these defenders, and
led them back to their positions. Although wounded in the thigh
and left leg during this gallant action, he returned to his
position and, upon being told that communications were
reestablished and that his commanding officer was seriously
wounded, 1st Lt. Williams took charge of actions in both
compounds. Then, in an attempt to reach the communications
bunker, he sustained wounds in the stomach and right arm from
grenade fragments. As the defensive positions on the walls had
been held for hours and casualties were mounting, he ordered the
consolidation of the American personnel from both compounds to
establish a defense in the district building. After radio
contact was made with a friendly air controller, he disregarded
his wounds and directed the defense from the District building,
using descending flares as reference points to adjust air
strikes. By his courage, he inspired his team to hold out
against the insurgent force that was closing in on them and
throwing grenades into the windows of the building. As daylight
arrived and the Vietcong continued to besiege the stronghold,
firing a machinegun directly south of the district building, he
was determined to eliminate this menace that threatened the
lives of his men. Taking a 3.5 rocket launcher and a volunteer
to load it, he worked his way across open terrain, reached the
berm south of the district headquarters, and took aim at the
Vietcong machinegun 150 meters away. Although the sight was
faulty, he succeeded in hitting the machinegun. While he and the
loader were trying to return to the district headquarters, they
were both wounded. With a fourth wound, this time in the right
arm and leg, and realizing he was unable to carry his wounded
comrade back to the district building, 1st Lt. Williams pulled
him to a covered position and then made his way back to the
district building where he sought the help of others who went
out and evacuated the injured soldier. Although seriously
wounded and tired, he continued to direct the air strikes closer
to the defensive position. As morning turned to afternoon and
the Vietcong pressed their effort with direct recoilless rifle
fire into the building, he ordered the evacuation of the
seriously wounded to the safety of the communications bunker.
When informed that helicopters would attempt to land as the
hostile gunfire had abated, he led his team from the building to
the artillery position, making certain of the timely evacuation
of the wounded from the communications area, and then on to the
pickup point. Despite resurgent Vietcong gunfire, he directed
the rapid evacuation of all personnel. Throughout the long
battle, he was undaunted by the vicious Vietcong assault and
inspired the defenders in decimating the determined insurgents.
1st Lt. Williams' extraordinary heroism, are in the highest
traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon
himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
*WILLIAMS, DEWAYNE T.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company H, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines,
1st Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Nam Province,
Republic of Vietnam, 18 September 1968. Entered service at:
Saint Clair, Mich. Born: 18 September 1949, Brown City, Mich.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a
rifleman with the 1st Platoon, Company H, in action against
communist insurgent forces. Pfc. Williams was a member of a
combat patrol sent out from the platoon with the mission of
establishing positions in the company's area of operations, from
which it could intercept and destroy enemy sniper teams
operating in the area. In the night as the patrol was preparing
to move from its daylight position to a preselected night
position, it was attacked from ambush by a squad of enemy using
small arms and hand grenades. Although severely wounded in the
back by the close intense fire, Pfc. Williams, recognizing the
danger to the patrol, immediately began to crawl forward toward
a good firing position. While he was moving under the continuing
intense fire, he heard one of the members of the patrol sound
the alert that an enemy grenade had landed in their position.
Reacting instantly to the alert, he saw that the grenade had
landed close to where he was Lying and without hesitation, in a
valiant act of heroism, rolled on top of the grenade as it
exploded, absorbing the full and tremendous impact of the
explosion with his body. Through his extraordinary initiative
and inspiring valor in the face of certain death, he saved the
other members of his patrol from serious injury and possible
loss of life, and enabled them to successfully defeat the
attackers and hold their position until assistance arrived. His
personal heroism and 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.
WILLIAMS, JAMES E.
Rank and organization: Boatswain's
Mate First Class (PO1c.), U.S. Navy, River Section 531, My Tho,
RVN, Place and date: Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam, 31
October 1966. Entered service at: Columbia, S.C. Born: 13 June
1930, Rock Hill, S.C. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty. PO1c. Williams was serving as Boat Captain and Patrol
Officer aboard River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 accompanied by
another patrol boat when the patrol was suddenly taken under
fire by 2 enemy sampans. PO1c. Williams immediately ordered the
fire returned, killing the crew of 1 enemy boat and causing the
other sampan to take refuge in a nearby river inlet. Pursuing
the fleeing sampan, the U.S. patrol encountered a heavy volume
of small-arms fire from enemy forces, at close range, occupying
well-concealed positions along the river bank. Maneuvering
through this fire, the patrol confronted a numerically superior
enemy force aboard 2 enemy junks and 8 sampans augmented by
heavy automatic weapons fire from ashore. In the savage battle
that ensued, PO1c. Williams, with utter disregard for his safety
exposed himself to the withering hail of enemy fire to direct
counter-fire and inspire the actions of his patrol. Recognizing
the overwhelming strength of the enemy force, PO1c. Williams
deployed his patrol to await the arrival of armed helicopters.
In the course of his movement his discovered an even larger
concentration of enemy boats. Not waiting for the arrival of the
armed helicopters, he displayed great initiative and boldly led
the patrol through the intense enemy fire and damaged or
destroyed 50 enemy sampans and 7 junks. This phase of the action
completed, and with the arrival of the armed helicopters, PO1c.
Williams directed the attack on the remaining enemy force. Now
virtually dark, and although PO1c. Williams was aware that his
boats would become even better targets, he ordered the patrol
boats' search lights turned on to better illuminate the area and
moved the patrol perilously close to shore to press the attack.
Despite a waning supply of ammunition the patrol successfully
engaged the enemy ashore and completed the rout of the enemy
force. Under the leadership of PO 1 c. Williams, who
demonstrated unusual professional skill and indomitable courage
throughout the 3 hour battle, the patrol accounted for the
destruction or loss of 65 enemy boats and inflicted numerous
casualties on the enemy personnel. His extraordinary heroism and
exemplary fighting spirit in the face of grave risks inspired
the efforts of his men to defeat a larger enemy force, and are
in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*WILSON, ALFRED M.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company M, 3d Battalion, 9th Marines,
3d Marine Division. Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic
of Vietnam, 3 March 1969. Entered service at: Abilene, Tex.
Born: 13 January 1948, Olney, Ill. Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company
M in action against hostile forces. While returning from a
reconnaissance-in-force mission in the vicinity of Fire Support
Base Cunningham, the 1st Platoon of Company M came under intense
automatic weapons fire and a grenade attack from a well
concealed enemy force. As the center of the column was pinned
down, the leading squad moved to outflank the enemy. Pfc.
Wilson, acting as squad leader of the rear squad, skillfully
maneuvered his men to form a base of fire and act as a blocking
force. In the ensuing fire fight, both his machine gunner and
assistant machine gunner were seriously wounded and unable to
operate their weapons. Realizing the urgent need to bring the
weapon into operation again, Pfc. Wilson, followed by another
marine and with complete disregard for his safety, fearlessly
dashed across the fire-swept terrain to recover the weapon. As
they reached the machinegun, an enemy soldier stepped from
behind a tree and threw a grenade toward the 2 marines.
Observing the grenade fall between himself and the other marine,
Pfc. Wilson, fully realizing the inevitable result of his
actions, shouted to his companion and unhesitating threw himself
on the grenade, absorbing the full force of the explosion with
his own body. His heroic actions inspired his platoon members to
maximum effort as they aggressively attacked and defeated the
enemy. Pfc. Wilson's indomitable courage, inspiring valor 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.
*WINDER, DAVID F.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d
Battalion, 1st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal
Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 13 May 1970.
Entered service at: Columbus, Ohio. Born: 10 August 1946,
Edinboro, Pa. Citation: Pfc. Winder distinguished himself while
serving in the Republic of Vietnam as a senior medical aidman
with Company A. After moving through freshly cut rice paddies in
search of a suspected company-size enemy force, the unit started
a thorough search of the area. Suddenly they were engaged with
intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire by a
well entrenched enemy force. Several friendly soldiers fell
wounded in the initial contact and the unit was pinned down.
Responding instantly to the cries of his wounded comrades, Pfc.
Winder began maneuvering across approximately 100 meters of
open, bullet-swept terrain toward the nearest casualty. Unarmed
and crawling most of the distance, he was wounded by enemy fire
before reaching his comrades. Despite his wounds and with great
effort, Pfc. Winder reached the first casualty and administered
medical aid. As he continued to crawl across the open terrain
toward a second wounded soldier he was forced to stop when
wounded a second time. Aroused by the cries of an injured
comrade for aid, Pfc. Winder's great determination and sense of
duty impelled him to move forward once again, despite his
wounds, in a courageous attempt to reach and assist the injured
man. After struggling to within 10 meters of the man, Pfc.
Winder was mortally wounded. His dedication and sacrifice
inspired his unit to initiate an aggressive counterassault which
led to the defeat of the enemy. Pfc. Winder's conspicuous
gallantry 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 on him, his unit and the U.S. Army.
*WORLEY, KENNETH L.
Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st
Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Bo Ban, Quang Nam
Province, Republic of Vietnam, 12 August 1968. Entered service
at: Fresno, Calif. Born: 27 April 1948, Farmington, N. Mex.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a
machine gunner with Company L, 3d Battalion, in action against
enemy forces. After establishing a night ambush position in a
house in the Bo Ban, Hamlet of Quang Nam Province, security was
set up and the remainder of the patrol members retired until
their respective watch. During the early morning hours the
marines were abruptly awakened by the platoon leader's warning
that "grenades" had landed in the house. Fully
realizing the inevitable result of his actions, L/Cpl. Worley,
in a valiant act of heroism, instantly threw himself upon the
grenade nearest him and his comrades, absorbing with his body,
the full and tremendous force of the explosion. Through his
extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of
almost certain death, he saved his comrades from serious injury
and possible loss of life although 5 of his fellow marines
incurred minor wounds as the other grenades exploded. L/Cpl.
Worley's gallant actions upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his
life for his country.
WRIGHT, RAYMOND R.
Rank and organization: Specialist
Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry,
9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Ap Bac Zone, Republic of
Vietnam, 2 May 1967. Entered service at: Moriah, N.Y. Born: 5
December 1945, Moriah, 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 rifleman with Company A, Sp4c.
Wright distinguished himself during a combat patrol in an area
where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier. Sp4c. Wright's unit
suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and small-arms
fire from an enemy bunker system protected by numerous snipers
in nearby trees. Despite the heavy enemy fire, Sp4c. Wright and
another soldier leaped to the top of a dike to assault the
position. Armed with a rifle and several grenades, he and his
comrade exposed themselves to intense fire from the bunkers as
they charged the nearest one. Sp4c. Wright raced to the bunker,
threw in a grenade, killing its occupant. The 2 soldiers then
ran through a hail of fire to the second bunker. While his
comrade covered him with his machinegun, Sp4c. Wright charged
the bunker and succeeded in killing its occupant with a grenade.
A third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned
down much of the friendly platoon. While his comrade again
covered him with machinegun fire, Sp4c. Wright charged in and
killed the enemy rifleman with a grenade. The 2 soldiers worked
their way through the remaining bunkers, knocking out 4 of them.
Throughout their furious assault, Sp4c. Wright and his comrade
had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire from
the treeline as the enemy desperately sought to stop their
attack. Overcoming stubborn resistance from the bunker system,
the men advanced into the treeline forcing the snipers to
retreat, giving immediate chase, and driving the enemy away from
the friendly unit so that it advanced across the open area
without further casualty. When his ammunition was exhausted,
Sp4c. Wright returned to his unit to assist in the evacuation of
the wounded. This 2-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from
a well prepared position, accounted for numerous enemy
casualties, and averted further friendly casualties. Sp4c.
Wright's extraordinary heroism, courage, and indomitable
fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and
inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect
great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
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