He was killed in the ensuing explosion, but was successful in protecting the members of his squad. The U.S. Army Awards Branch estimates a total of 21,634 Army Awards of the Silver Star were issued for gallantry in Vietnam. Sacrificed himself to ensure evacuation helicopters were able to withdraw his team. Drove off squads of enemy soldiers on three occasions who were searching for allied wounded and weapons. For absorbing an explosive charge and continuing to fight with weapons and hand to hand before successfully defending a bunker. The Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class was awarded to commissioned officers and the 2nd Class Medal was awarded to warrant officers and enlisted personnel. Captain Humbert Roque Versace was the first recipient of the Medal of Honor to be given to an Army POW for his actions during captivity in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. [5] Riley L. Pitts was killed after attacking an enemy force with rifle fire and grenades and was the first African American commissioned officer of the war to receive the medal. For creating a diversion at the expense of his own life and providing his squad time to evacuate two wounded soldiers. Vietnam War drama "The Last Full Measure" is an inspiring story that will remind you of the best qualities an American can display. Post War years. Single-handedly destroyed an enemy bunker, rescued a wounded comrade from under heavy fire, and attacked and destroyed two more bunkers by himself before being mortally wounded while attacking a fourth bunker. Rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group to defeat an enemy force, causing them to retreat and leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades. Risked his life to repel the enemy and protect his soldiers during an enemy assault on his firebase. Search by name, award, branch, rank, and conflict or war. Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam… The recipients must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. It is also awarded to those who participated in the Evacuation of Saigon after it fell and was captured by North Korea. The Civil Action Medal was also awarded as a unit citation to participating units. Risked his life to save the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers, Sacrificed his life to save the lives of several Marines by taking out an enemy bunker, Risked his own life to allow his unit to escape, Saved the life of his superior officer and allowed the other members of his patrol to escape, Risked his life to assist in the rescue of three downed aviators. Exposed himself to enemy fire in order to place his three surviving wounded comrades in rescue slings, permitting them to be airlifted to safety. The first African American Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. Sims threw himself onto a triggered booby-trap device. Airborne infantry company squad leader with many decorations and awards including eight Purple Hearts in the Vietnam War: Repeateadly repulsed enemy attacks and although severely wounded was able maintain control of his unit until help could arrive, For actions during a rescue mission in enemy territory. For his courageous actions while serving as radio telephone operator in Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) during search and clear mission. During and after the war was difficult for all of the military members involved. The U.S. Army had 155 recipients, the U.S. Marine Corps had 57 recipients, the U.S. Navy had 15 recipients and the U.S. Air Force had 12 recipients. Recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. Risked his life attempting to save the lives of his entrapped comrades and commanding officer, Threw himself between enemy fire and an injured fellow Marine, Covered a grenade with his helmet and body, saving eight men, Risked his life by repeatedly leading groups of men in fighting back an enemy attack. The continually updated lists are accessible to War Library subscribers … Despite being wounded in the wrist, he again exposed himself to enemy fire and was fatally shot. Sacrificed his life to single-handedly repel a large enemy force from attacking through a weakened perimeter for over 1½ hours. For a daring airborne rescue of American special forces troops. Single-handedly destroyed a Viet Cong bunker and was then killed while chasing the retreating enemy soldiers. The first post-Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients were two Delta Force snipers, MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randy Shughart, who volunteered to defend a downed helicopter pilot in the 1993 Battle of … Although seriously wounded, he destroyed an enemy bunker and fought back an enemy attack until he was killed. Distinguished himself by realizing that Army Rangers were walking into an ambush and, with no air support close by and no radio communication with the Rangers, he sacrificed his life to alert the Rangers of the danger. The only Canadian recipient since World War II, and one of only four since 1900. As a result of the three-hour battle, the American naval force killed numerous Viet Cong guerrillas, destroyed over fifty vessels, and disrupted a major enemy logistic operation. He destroyed 10 enemy bunkers and accounted for a large toll of the enemy, including two key enemy commanders, Flew multiple missions against heavy fire to evacuate 51 wounded men, Carried an explosive device away from three other Marines, Showed conspicuous leadership while organizing his unit's defense during a 34-hour enemy attack, Led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield, Sacrificed his life to lead his men against the enemy and personally destroyed two enemy bunkers with hand grenades, After his unit was ambushed, he assaulted the enemy forces, allowing the remainder of the unit to recover wounded and continue their advance, A Chaplain who was killed while attempting to rescue a wounded corpsman, Was killed while providing medical attention to several wounded Marines, Sacrificed his life to save several Marines by smothering a grenade with his body, Risked his life by attacking a wave of enemy forces alone to allow the rest of his platoon to escape, Risked his life to rescue several Marines and corpsman from a minefield, For assaulting an enemy position and aiding a fallen Marine despite severe wounds to himself, Killed while assaulting heavily fortified enemy bunkers, For absorbing the blast of a malfunctioning grenade in order to protect his fellow Marines, For assisting fellow prisoners while a prisoner of war, Killed while holding off an enemy ambush while wounded, so his comrades could be evacuated, For repeatedly flying into a landing zone under intense enemy fire to rescue and resupply ground troops, Sacrificed his life to save five Marines by smothering a grenade with his body, For single-handedly destroying two bunkers while under fire from a third machine gun during an ambush. Sacrificed his life to single-handedly eliminate a group of enemy soldiers, Assaulted an enemy platoon with another soldier preventing further casualties, Ong Muong Canal, Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, Successfully relayed commands through one of his men until an enemy attack was silenced and the boats he was leading were able to move to safety, Led his SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy and although seriously injured in the battle they eliminated an enemy force and took several prisoners. The certificates and declarations were often colorful and embellished with the image of the medal awarded. The certificates that pertain to Vietnam are: Medals of America provides high quality medals that are never surplus, always uniform ready, and designed and crafted to military specifications. Led a patrol which rescued men who had been wounded and cut off from the rest of the company and in the process destroyed several enemy bunkers and machine gun emplacements. Repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to treat his wounded comrades despite being wounded three times himself and continued to help his fellow soldiers until suffering a fourth and fatal wound. Although wounded by a rocket he led his platoon in a patrol when enemy forces attacked with machine gun, mortars and rocket fire. Risked his life and led his men to repeatedly attack the enemy, assist another Marine unit that had inflicted heavy casualties and led his unit to a helicopter for evacuation. Until he was awarded the Medal of Honor, he had trouble finding work and got into great debt. For smothering a grenade blast with his body. After DNA testing confirmed his identity, the remains were removed from the tomb and returned to Blassie's family, but the Medal of Honor did not transfer with him. Authorized on February 4, 1944, the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of all branches of military service. You can access them by clicking on the media player … For the Vietnam War the medal … For their acts of valor during the Vietnam War, more than 250 individuals have been awarded this medal. COPYRIGHT © 2018 MEDALS OF AMERICA, INC. Theme by, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pubH-5CulqI, Five Ways Veterans Can Gan Ways Exercise Can Aid Veterans Post-Deployment, Military Service On Display: 6 Military Décor Ideas for Grandpa’s Nursing Home, Wounded Vets That are Conquering Marathon Races, R.E.D. The unknown soldier from the Vietnam War who was buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns was authorized a Medal of Honor and in 1998 was identified as 1st Lieutenant Michael Blassie, USAF. Although wounded multiple times he continued to fight and refused medical aid until the enemy attack was over. For the rescue of two downed naval aviators, Rushed an enemy machine gun to distract the enemy so that his wounded comrades could be moved to safety. During the Vietnam War, for instance, a single award of the Air Medal … Distinguished himself while serving as a helicopter rescue crew commander, For sacrificing his life so his unit could escape. The different versions are Gallantry Cross with Palm, Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, with Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, and Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. The medals created and awarded during the Vietnam War were awarded by the United States or the former government of South Vietnam to the Vietnamese military and the U.S. military. Established in 1942, the Air Medal is awarded for meritorious achievement in aerial operations, for heroic acts in aerial operations against an armed enemy, or for merit in operational activities. Later became a, As a helicopter pilot, reinforced and then evacuated an embattled unit despite intense hostile fire, For taking command of his platoon and exposing himself to enemy fire to reestablish communication, tend to wounded men, and continued fighting. Saved wounded Americans on a search and clear operation, Although wounded he directed fire on enemy positions and continued to fight until he died from his wounds, Was killed while attempting to rescue a wounded soldier from a personnel carrier. Maintained his position, refused assistance, and provided defensive fire for his comrades until he fell mortally wounded. For falling on a grenade to save his comrades. Despite his painful wounds, he refused medical aid and persevered in the forefront of the attack on the enemy redoubt. Risked his life to direct artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night; despite enemy fire he led his men against the enemy until help arrived. Volunteered to reinforce a squad of Marines who were under heavy fire. Although wounded, he directed fire onto enemy positions and rescued several wounded soldiers. Zabitosky directed the defense until rescue helicopters arrived, and when the helicopter that was to extract him from the battlefield crashed, he ignored his own injuries to save the downed craft's pilot. He refused to be evacuated until his men were safe. The Bronze Star Medal can also be awarded for meritorious service, without the V. Those recipients are not listed here. Several interesting topics are discussed in our Veterans Radio podcasts. Was executed by the Viet Cong while a prisoner of war after repeated escape attempts, torture and maltreatment, Was a chaplain who sacrificed himself to rescue several wounded men, After fighting back four enemy soldiers and causing 11 others to retreat was killed by a fifth enemy soldier. Helped to organize defenses and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to retrieve supplies and return fire. After all wounded had been evacuated he joined another platoon and assisted in pursuing the enemy. Vargas requested that his mother's name, M. Sando Vargas, Jr., be engraved on the medal and added to the rolls. The recipients must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. He led the assault on several enemy gun emplacements and, single-handedly, destroyed three such positions. The Blassie family requested that the Medal of Honor be granted to him but the request was denied by the Department of Defense. His injuries attitudes and feelings towards Vietnam veterans has changed to feelings of gratitude and admiration vargas that. Refused to be awarded the Medal of Honor involved in 1965 and maintained involvement the... 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