Used his body as a shield to protect others in a bunker, moved two wounded men to a safer position where they could be given medical treatment and destroyed an enemy machine gun position before being killed. Prior to becoming a senator, he served as the governor from 1983 to 1987. Despite being wounded after his unit was attacked, he assumed command of the unit when the company commander was killed, organized the defense, and helped arrange a helicopter evacuation of the wounded. For absorbing an explosive charge and continuing to fight with weapons and hand to hand before successfully defending a bunker. Second conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. Killed in an attack were he killed eight of the enemy and drove the remainder away, Organized the defense, rescued a wounded soldier, and single-handedly attacked an enemy position before being killed, Killed attempting to draw enemy fire away from his convoy after manning a machine gun in his vehicle, Assaulted the enemy with grenades and rifle fire until dying from his wounds. Second conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. Risked his life by smothering a grenade with his own body, Threw himself on a grenade to save fellow Marines. Littrell received the Medal of Honor -- the highest U.S. military decoration for valor above and beyond the call of duty in combat. Vargas requested that his mother's name, M. Sando Vargas, Jr., be engraved on the medal and added to the rolls. He assumed command and directed the defense of their position and despite being wounded by a grenade, he continued to direct them, saving many lives. 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. In World War II (the US was involved from 1941 until 1945), there were 472 recipients, but in the Vietnam War (which lasted from 1955 until 1975), there were only 261. Voluntarily left the perimeter, set up a guiding beacon, established the priorities for evacuation and successively carried 18 wounded men to the extraction site. He was solely responsible for killing 15 enemy soldiers while saving the lives of at least nine members of his own unit. He then directed fire at the enemy and although wounded adjusted artillery and air strikes within fifty yards of his position until the enemy had been repelled. The only Canadian recipient since World War II, and one of only four since 1900. Arlington Funeral Held for Bennie G. Adkins, Medal of Honor Recipient Who Died from COVID-19 The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conduct modified military funeral honors for Medal of Honor recipient Command Sgt. 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. [2], During the Vietnam War, 248 Medals of Honor were received, 156 (62.9%) of them posthumously. Sacrificed his life by using his own body as a shield in an attempt to save a wounded soldier, 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. After being struck by enemy mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire he continuously fought and led his men against the enemy until dying from his wounds. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously. Sacrificed his life in an attempt to assist a wounded soldier, Along with another soldier attacked and defeated multiple enemy bunkers. Sacrificed his life to direct fire at the enemy at point blank range. During a firefight he single-handedly destroyed a series of enemy bunkers. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army. Despite his painful wounds he refused medical aid and persevered in the forefront of the attack on the enemy redoubt. For smothering a grenade blast with his body. 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 multiple times he continued to fight and refused medical aid until the enemy attack was over, 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. He refused his own medical evacuation and instead stayed with the company until a new commander arrived. The war was fought between the Communist-supported Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the United States-supported Republic of Vietnam. After DNA testing confirmed his identity, the remains were removed from the tomb and returned to Blassie's family, but the Medal of Honor remained as a tribute to those veterans still unknown. Recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. For saving many lives as a medic during a number of vicious firefights. You can access them by clicking on the media player below. While wounded he secured a machine gun and fired on the enemy refusing evacuation until his injured comrades were taken. For his courageous actions while serving as Commander of a Strike Force drawn from Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during combat operations against an armed enemy. Two hundred fifty-eight people who served during the war received the Medal of Honor. 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. For creating a diversion at the expense of his own life and providing his squad time to evacuate two wounded soldiers. When his convoy came under attack that day, near Ap Nhi in the Republic of Vietnam, Seay twice left his protective cover to toss enemy-thrown hand grenades back at the North Vietnamese forces. During a firefight he single-handedly destroyed a series of enemy bunkers. Medal of Honor Action Place: west of Loc Ninh, Cambodia Citation M/Sgt. Although losing his arm and repeatedly losing consciousness from loss of blood after the helicopter he was on was shot down he fought back an enemy gun emplacement and assisted in the rescue of a fallen officer. The unknown soldier from the Vietnam War who was buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns … Repeatedly exposed himself and his armored personnel carrier to enemy fire in order to protect the other soldiers of his unit and after his vehicle was disabled, he stayed behind and was killed while providing covering fire so others could withdraw. For efforts in directing an air strike on enemy forces. Pfc. Although already wounded, he sacrificed his life to save other soldiers who were pinned down by silencing two enemy gun emplacements and diving into a third with a grenade. Risked his life to repel the enemy and protect his soldiers during an enemy assault on his firebase. For destroying three enemy bunkers with grenades and rifle fire, helping to secure an enemy supply cache and directing his men after being seriously wounded. For taking command of his platoon and exposing himself to enemy fire to reestablish communication, tend to wounded men, and continued fighting. Sacrificed himself by smothering an enemy grenade with his body to save the lives of three fellow Marines and is the only combat photographer to have received the Medal of Honor. Found a separated unit of twenty wounded men, reloaded their weapons and directed their fire at the enemy until they attempted a counter-attack. A friend recently gave a Vietnam War veteran a gift — a Medal of Honor Vietnam War set of forever stamps issued in 2015. 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. After fighting off the enemy he sacrificed his life allowing the rest of his company to return to friendly lines while he remained alone with an injured soldier who could not be moved due to his wounds. Was wounded when attempting to rescue a wounded soldier and despite his injuries, led his platoon and succeeded in destroying an enemy bunker before being killed. After being shot in the hand by a sniper he exposed himself to enemy gunfire and charged a machine gun, killing the enemy there. Refused medical treatment or evacuation until after action and his men were settled. It concluded with the defeat and failure of the United States foreign policy in Vietnam. Although wounded in an assault on a bunker complex he continued attacking until wounded a second time by shrapnel eliminating the enemy from the hill, Was killed after attacking the enemy multiple times with grenades and rifle fire. [8], Lavender background and † indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously, 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. Repeatedly exposed himself and his armored personnel carrier to enemy fire in order to protect the other soldiers of his unit and after his vehicle was disabled, he stayed behind and was killed while providing covering fire so others could withdraw. After being struck by enemy mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire he continuously fought and led his men against the enemy until dying from his wounds. Distinguished himself while serving as a helicopter rescue crew commander, For Sacrificing his life so his unit could escape. He single-handedly held off an enemy assault, arranged for a helicopter extraction of his unit, and again fought off the enemy alone until relief arrived, although wounded himself. He was killed in the ensuing explosion, but was successful in protecting the members of his squad. Used his body as a shield to protect others in a bunker, moved two wounded men to a safer position where they could be given medical treatment and destroyed an enemy machine gun position before being killed. During the Vietnam War, 246 Medals of Honor … Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body, Sacrificed his life in an attempt to defuse a claymore mine, Although wounded he directed fire on the enemy and led his platoon to drive the enemy back. It took an act of Congress for Etchberger to be reconsidered for this 2010 Medal of Honor, since the existence of Lima Site 85 had to be kept secret in 1968. Defended several fallen comrades and forced the Vietnamese to kill him rather than be captured. Risked his life to assist several fallen comrades and although injured in the attempt was able to administer first aid to himself and several of the wounded and helped them to safety. U.S. Army First Lieutenant Jack H. Jacobs was presented the Medal of Honor for military valor during the Vietnam War. 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. Against overwhelming odds, several times Williams led his PBRs (Patrol Boats, River) against concentrations of enemy junks and sampans. Risked his life by rescuing three injured squad members and then led his squad to attack and destroy a heavily fortified enemy bunker complex. Was wounded when attempting to rescue a wounded soldier and despite his injuries, led his platoon and succeeded in destroying an enemy bunker before being killed. During the American Civil War, the Medal of Honor was established and presented nearly 3,000 times before World War I. 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. 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. For rescuing a group of surrounded American troops with his helicopter. The unknown soldier from the Vietnam War who was buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns … Most decorated soldier during Vietnam War. It concluded with the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975, defeating the United States foreign policy in Vietnam. For sacrificing his life to save the other members of his aircrew. He survived the blast, but was seriously wounded and captured by the enemy dying while a prisoner of war ten months later. For smothering a grenade blast with his body. On that day, while in Hậu Nghĩa Province in the Republic of Vietnam, Sargent threw himself on two enemy hand grenades, sacrificing himself but saving the lives of two men nearby. Led his men in the seizure of enemy ammunition and supplies and continued to counterattack the enemy using artillery fire and air support. Several interesting topics are discussed in our Veterans Radio podcasts. Led his men in the seizure of enemy ammunition and supplies and continued to counterattack the enemy using artillery fire and air support. 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. 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. The first actions to earn a Medal of Honor in this war were those of Roger Donlon who, on 6 July 1964, rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group against an enemy force. Killed protecting others during an ambush, Risked his life by flying his helicopter into heavy enemy fire to evacuate several wounded passengers and aircrew of a downed helicopter, Threw himself on an enemy grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of four comrades at the sacrifice of his life, For rescuing a downed airman despite heavy fire. Against overwhelming odds, several times Williams led his PBRs (Patrol Boats, River) against concentrations of enemy junks and sampans. Sacrificed his life in an attempt to assist a wounded soldier, Along with another soldier attacked and defeated multiple enemy bunkers. Was the first African American commissioned officer to be awarded the Medal of Honor. For diving on top of a flare, to eject it from an aircraft, saving it and entire crew on board, Was a Chaplain who carried 20 wounded men from the battlefield under heavy fire who later renounced his medal of honor. 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. Voluntarily left the perimeter, set up a guiding beacon, established the priorities for evacuation and successively carried 18 wounded men to the extraction site. He refused to be evacuated until his men were safe. Although wounded he directed fire onto enemy positions and rescued several wounded soldiers, 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, Risked his life by attacking an enemy SAM site and other enemy targets multiple times. The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. Sacrificed his life by smothering a grenade with his body, Sacrificed his life in an attempt to defuse a claymore mine, Although wounded he directed fire on the enemy and led his platoon to drive the enemy back. Specialist Rascon's showed extraordinary valor in the face of deadly enemy fire, heroism in rescuing the wounded, and gallantry by repeatedly risking his own life for his fellow soldiers. Assumed command of a rifle company upon death of the commander in an ambush, directed the counterattack, Endured hostile gunfire and serious injuries to save several wounded soldiers, For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him, For a series of daring and valorous actions despite severe wounds, Sacrificed his life to save the life of his passenger. Sacrificed himself to save others by smothering an enemy grenade with his body, For refusing evacuation while tending wounded and defending the unit's position, Risked his life to assist a group of Marines who had been attacked by a larger enemy force. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Flags were lowered across Alabama on Wednesday to honor Medal of Honor recipient Bennie G. Adkins of Opelika, who … Although severely wounded multiple times by enemy fire he continued to throw grenades at an enemy bunker until it was destroyed and he was killed by enemy gunfire. For falling on a grenade to save his comrades and is one of five Puerto Ricans who have been posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor. Rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group to defeat an enemy force causing them to retreat leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades. Killed while defending his wounded comrades from the enemy and delivered effective suppressive fire in order to divert the Viet Cong long enough to allow the casualties to be evacuated. After DNA testing confirmed his identity, the remains were removed from the tomb and returned to Blassie's family, but the Medal of Honor remained as a tribute to those veterans still unknown. The remaining 14 went to the Air Force. Helped to organize defenses and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to retrieve supplies and return fire. Rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group to defeat an enemy force causing them to retreat leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades. Sacrificed his life by smothering a mine with his body, Killed after repeatedly attacking and defeating the enemy. The first African American recipient of the war was Milton L. Olive, III who sacrificed himself to save others by smothering a grenade with his body. 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