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Bronze Star with "V" Device > Vietnam

* Interesting Notes:

Private First Class James Perlmutter also earned the Silver Star and Soldier's Medal in Vietnam

Specialist James B. O'Keeffe earned the Bronze Star with "V" device 4 times. In addition, he earned the Silver Star and ARCOM with "V" device

Captain James W. Ralph also earned the Silver Star while in Vietnam

In addition to the Bronze Star with “V” device, Specialist Fifth Class Mark Rost Tietjen also received the Silver Star

Specialist Five Richard Smith earned the Bronze Star with "V" device twice in Vietnam

* Denotes Posthumous Award

O’KEEFFE, JAMES B. (First Award)
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
A Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cav, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: 10 March 1969
Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 1096, 24 August 1962, AR 672-5-1, and USARV Reg 672-1, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force is awarded to Specialist Four James B. O’Keeffe. Specialist Four O’Keeffe distinguished himself by heroic actions on 10 March 1969, while serving as a medic with A Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the Republic of Vietnam. While in their night laager position, A Troop came under fire from a large NVA force. During the action Specialist O’Keeffe observed numerous casualties approximately one hundred meters from his position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist O’Keeffe moved through the bullet swept area to the wounded men and administered first aid. He then moved back to his original position and assisted in the evacuation of the wounded personnel. Throughout the entire engagement, Specialist O’Keeffe moved to each track checking for wounded and assisting those in need of attention. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and the defeat of the enemy force. Specialist O’Keeffe’s personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: General Order number 4487, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, 31 March 1969

O’KEEFFE, JAMES B. (Second Award)
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
A Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cav, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: 25 March 1969
Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 1096, 24 August 1962, AR 672-5-1, and USARV Reg 672-1, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force is awarded to Specialist Four James B. O’Keeffe. Specialist Four O’Keeffe distinguished himself by heroic actions on 25 March 1969, while serving with A Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the Republic of Vietnam. A Troop was called upon to act as a reaction force for a friendly unit that had come in contact with a large enemy force. As they neared the battle site, A Troop came under intense fire from the hostiles and sustained several casualties. Although the insurgents were directing their fire towards him, Specialist O’Keeffe, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to the deadly Viet Cong shelling as he moved through the bullet swept area and evacuated his fallen comrades to safety. His valorous actions were responsible for saving several lives and the success of the mission. Specialist O’Keeffe’s personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: General Order number 5487, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, 17 April 1969

O’KEEFFE, JAMES B. (Third Award)
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
A Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cav, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: 28 March 1969
Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 1096, 24 August 1962, AR 672-5-1, and USARV Reg 672-1, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force is awarded to Specialist Four James B. O’Keeffe. Specialist Four O’Keeffe distinguished himself by heroic actions on 28 March 1969, while serving with A Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a combat operation, A Troop came in contact with a large enemy force. During the initial contact, the friendly element sustained several casualties. With complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist O’Keeffe exposed himself to a heavy volume of hostile fire as he mounted the medic armored personnel carrier and drove it to the injured soldiers’ location where he loaded them aboard and evacuated his comrades to safety. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and defeat of the hostile force. Specialist O’Keeffe’s personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: General Order number 5593, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, 19 April 1969

O’KEEFFE, JAMES B. (Fourth Award)
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
A Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cav, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: 29 July 1969
Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 1096, 24 August 1962, AR 672-5-1, and USARV Reg 672-1, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device (Third Oak Leaf Cluster) for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force is awarded to Specialist Four James B. O’Keeffe. Specialist Four O’Keeffe distinguished himself by heroic actions on 29 July 1969, while serving with A Troop, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry in the Republic of Vietnam. While established in a night defensive position, A Troop came under an intense barrage of enemy weaponry. During the initial contact, several casualties were sustained. With complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist O’Keeffe exposed himself to the hail of fire as he moved to one of the wounded men’s position and evacuated him to safety. Throughout the battle, Specialist O’Keefe continued to expose himself as he made repeated trips through the perilous area to evacuate his fallen comrades. His valorous actions were responsible for saving several lives. Specialist O’Keeffe’s bravery and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: General Order number 10427, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, 15 August 1969

PERLMUTTER, JAMES G.
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Company C, 2d Battalion (Mechanized) 2d Infantry Regiment 1st Infantry Division
Date of Action: 3 December 1967
Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 1096, 24 August 1962, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy is awarded to Private First Class James G. Perlmutter for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force 3 December 1967. On this date, Private First Class Perlmutter was serving as a medical aidman with his unit, established in a night defensive perimeter. Early in the morning, the position was subjected to heavy mortar fire and an intense ground attack. Although wounded himself in the initial barrage, Private First Class Perlmutter immediately began treating the more seriously wounded men in his platoon. He repeatedly exposed himself to the hail of enemy fire as he moved along the perimeter giving first aid and assisting in evacuating the wounded. Only after all of the seriously wounded had been cared for, did Private First Class Perlmutter allow treatment of his own wounds. His determination and conspicuous disregard for his personal safety were instrumental in saving numerous lives. Private First Class Perlmutter’s outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty and personal bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.
General Orders: General Order number 2165, Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, 11 March 1968

RALPH, JAMES W.
Captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Army
Date of Action: 21 June 1964
Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy is awarded to Captain James W. Ralph, Medical Corps, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroic achievement while engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force on 21 June 1964 in the Republic of Vietnam. As a Flight Surgeon, Captain Ralph demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill while participating in a medical mission to evacuate several wounded Vietnamese troops from the scene of a vicious battle with the Viet Cong. Although the helicopter ambulance was struck by enemy gun fire which wounded the Aircraft Commander, Captain Ralph unhesitatingly dashed into the midst of the battle to aid the wounded as soon as the aircraft landed. While exposed to multiple weapons fire, he bravely remained on the ground to treat the wounded and carry them to the helicopter. Throughout the day and into the darkness of night, he displayed complete disregard for his own safety to rescue the wounded, administer treatment, and load the casualties on board the evacuation aircraft. With fortitude, sound judgment, and deep concern for his fellow man, her remained in the combat zone and continued his courageous efforts until all of the known wounded were evacuated. Captain Ralph’s heroic conduct is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects distinct credit upon himself and the military service.
General Orders: General Order number 19, Department of the Army, 28 May 1965

SMITH, RICHARD (First Award)
Specialist 5th Class, Army Medical Department, U.S. Army
1st Cavalry Division
Date of Action: 1970
Synopsis: Citation Needed:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy is awarded to Specialist 5th Class Richard Smith, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroic achievement while engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force in 1970 while in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Smith’s heroic conduct is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects distinct credit upon himself and the military service.
General Orders: General Order unknown, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, 1970. As reported in Letterman General Hospital newspaper June 1973.

SMITH, RICHARD (Second Award)
Specialist 5th Class, Army Medical Department, U.S. Army
1st Cavalry Division
Date of Action: 1970
Synopsis: Citation Needed:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, the Bronze Star Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, with “V” device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy is awarded to Specialist 5th Class Richard Smith, United States Army, distinguished himself by heroic achievement while engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force in 1970 while in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Smith’s heroic conduct is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects distinct credit upon himself and the military service.
General Orders: General Order unknown, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, 1970. As reported in Letterman General Hospital newspaper June 1973

SPRUILL, J.T.
Specialist Fifth Class, Army Medical Department, U.S. Army
U. S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Date of Action: 5 December 1964
Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, the Bronze Star with “V” device is awarded for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force to Specialist Fifth Class J.T. Spruill. Specialist Fifth Class Spruill distinguished himself by heroic action on 5 December 1964, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Spruill was serving as Medical Aidman aboard a helicopter ambulance providing medical evacuation for friendly forces engaged in an operation against the Communist Viet Cong. Upon being informed by a United States Advisor that there were many casualties requiring evacuation but that the area was insecure, Specialist Spruill's aircraft commander chose to attempt evacuation without waiting for darkness when the wounded could be moved to a safe pick-up zone. After landing, Specialist Spruill, while under enemy fire, located, sorted, treated, and loaded the wounded for evacuation. Time and again and in two more areas of the battlefield, Specialist Spruill, without regard for his own personal risk, aided in the evacuation of wounded. Specialist Spruill's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: General Order number 1064, Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, 19 May 1965

TIETJEN, MARK ROST
Specialist Fifth Class, Army Medical Department, U.S. Army
Company D, 1st Bn, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division
Date of Action: 31 May 1969
Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy is awarded to Specialist Fifth Class Mark Post Tietjen, United States Army, for heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Tietjen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 May 1969 while serving as a Medic with Company D, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, the company was sent to assist a sister element which was pinned down by a large North Vietnamese Army force near An Loi. While sweeping across a series of open rice paddies toward the besieged element, the company encountered a heavily armed, well entrenched enemy force. In the initial barrage of fire, numerous friendly soldiers were seriously wounded and fell in exposed locations. After reaching a covered position, Specialist Tietjen spotted his platoon leader and another comrade lying in open areas with severe fragmentation wounds. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Specialist Tietjen left his relatively secure location and maneuvered through the hostile fire to his platoon leader. Ignoring the enemy fire that was impacting within a few meters of him, Specialist Tietjen calmly administered first aid to the wounded officer and then moved to another wounded soldier to render medical assistance. He then gallantly pulled both men to covered positions. His courageous actions were directly responsible for saving the lives of his fellow soldiers and inspired the remainder of the company to rally and rout the large enemy force. Specialist fifth Class Tietjen’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division and the United States Army.
General Orders: General Order number 7252, Headquarters, Americal Division, 30 July 1969