TAYLOR, JAMES T., JR.
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army
Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
Date of Action: June 9 & 10, 1965
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James T. Taylor, Jr., Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 9 June 1965 to 10 June 1965 while serving as a medical specialist for the Special Forces camp at Dong Xoai. At the onset of a vicious attack by an estimated Viet Cong regiment, Sergeant Taylor dashed into the deadly fire in search of casualties. He found his seriously wounded commander crawling to a firing position, carried him the rest of the way, and gave him treatment that saved his life. Sergeant Taylor then moved among the deteriorating defensive positions, calming the men, controlling their fire, and treating the wounded. To reestablish communications with the executive officer, he ran and crawled 300 meters through explosions and rifle fire. Finding the officer without a radio, he returned to his compound, escorted an operator to the isolated area, and again returned to his defensive duties. Each time Sergeant Taylor risked death while passing through the frenzied fire of both hostile and friendly lines. When perimeter positions became untenable, he helped carry his commander 300 meters to the headquarters building, the final strong point. Throughout the day, ignoring his own injuries, he alternately treated wounded men and fought off attacks to within 20 meters of the building. Sergeant Taylor's inspired leadership enabled the force to hold back an overwhelming Viet Cong siege for fourteen hours. Sergeant Taylor's stamina and courage as a medic and as a fighter preserved the defensive strength of the beleaguered unit. His extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty 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: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 737 (February 20, 1967)
Home Town: Pennsylvania *THOMAS, JOE MINOR
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment,
Date of Action: September 24, 1967
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joe Minor Thomas, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Specialist Four Thomas distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 September 1967 while serving as medic of an armored cavalry platoon on a combat mission deep in hostile territory. While moving along rice fields in search of hostile elements, his platoon was savagely attacked by a Viet Cong force firing automatic weapons from well fortified positions. He saw three comrades wounded by the intense barrage and sprinted three hundred meters across an open rice paddy under a hail of fire to aid them. With bullets striking all around him, he remained in the open to treat the casualties and move them to safety. He detected the Viet Cong emplacement and fired furiously into the attackers. Completely disregarding his own safety, he stood up in the midst of the firefight and fearlessly assaulted the enemy bunker alone. Firing lethal bursts as he ran into the face of the enemy weapons, he reached the fortifications and destroyed them with grenades and rifle fire, killing three enemy soldiers. He was mortally wounded while gallantly defending his comrades in the face of grave danger. His fearless actions completely defeated the determined insurgents and enabled his men to successfully complete their mission. Specialist Four Thomas' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, 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 United States Army.
General Orders: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6017 (November 21, 1967)
Home Town: Tulsa, Oklahoma *TIFFANY, DAVID L.
Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army
Company E, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 28, 1969
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to David L. Tiffany, Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company E, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Five Tiffany distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 May 1969 as a senior medical aidman on an airmobile operation in Long An Province. Immediately upon being inserted into its area of operation, Specialist Tiffany's platoon came into heavy contact with an enemy force. Returning fire, they forced the enemy troops to disperse. While moving in pursuit of the fleeing enemy, the platoon again came under intense fire and suffered casualties in the command element. Specialist Tiffany, who had been at the rear of the sweep formation, moved to the point of heaviest contact where his wounded comrades lay exposed to the hail of enemy ordnance. Although he was pinned down before he could reach the wounded men, he managed to silence a hostile emplacement long enough to run to the casualties. He quickly administered aid to the injured men and carried one casualty to safety. Returning to the center of conflict, he spotted his wounded platoon leader and immediately moved to his assistance. While attempting to rescue his comrade, he was mortally wounded. Specialist Five Tiffany's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, 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 United States Army.
General Orders: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3273 (August 23, 1969)
Home Town: Riverside, California *TILLQUIST, ROBERT ARNOLD
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Date of Action: November 4, 1965
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Arnold Tillquist, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 November 1965, Specialist Tillquist, a medical corpsman attached to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, was accompanying Company B on a search and destroy mission near Plei Me, Republic of Vietnam. As the lead platoon hacked its way through the dense Vietnamese jungle growth, they suddenly came upon a well-fortified Viet Cong emplacement, whereupon the point man immediately opened fire on the insurgent position. As the remainder of the company reached the area, they began a full scale assault on the hostile position. In what seemed to be a final defensive effort on the part of the insurgents, they steadily increased their fire on the advancing group. During this affray, a member of the friendly attacking force was wounded. A cry for a "medic" was heard, and Specialist Tillquist, who was in the front line of the assault, immediately gathered his medical equipment; went to the aid of the wounded man; administered first aid; and moved him to a better sheltered position, some thirty meters from the main line of fire. After securing his patient, he noticed that another of his comrades was wounded and lying in the midst of hostile fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he charged through the intense hostile barrage to the aid of the wounded man and again administered first aid, moving his comrade to a safer position. As he secured the second man, he saw another of his comrades fall wounded, directly in front of a Viet Cong machine gun emplacement. Despite being almost completely exhausted and disregarding his own personal safety, Specialist Tillquist stripped off his web gear; grabbed his rifle and aid kit; and began to crawl to the aid of the wounded man. During this valiant attempt, he was mortally wounded when hit in the back by a burst of fire from the hostile machine gun. Specialist Tillquist's extraordinary heroism, compassion for his fellow man, and supreme sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
General Orders: HQ US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 43 (February 28, 1966)
Home Town: Branford, Connecticut VALOR, FRANK
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: January 4, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Frank Valor, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Valor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 January 1968 as a medical aidman on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Phu Chong. Moving from a defense hedgerow into an open field, the lead element of his company came under heavy automatic weapons and machine gun fire from an estimated enemy battalion occupying concealed, well fortified positions. Several casualties were immediately sustained. Specialist Valor was wounded three times as he moved to the point of heaviest contact to assist his fallen comrades. Upon reaching the casualties, he remained in an exposed position and began treating them. Despite being wounded once again, he assisted his injured comrades to a more secure position. Upon reaching a relatively safe area, he was hastily treated for his wounds while organizing an emergency treatment area for the other casualties. Although weak from loss of blood, Specialist Valor then returned to the battle area time after time to evacuate additional casualties. When evacuation helicopters arrived, he immediately established extraction priorities for the wounded, refusing evacuation for himself until he was sure that all other casualties had been extracted. Specialist Four Valor's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty 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: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3684 (August 1, 1968) WARD, WILLIAM H.
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army
Mobile Advisory Team 62, Delta Military Assistance Command, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Date of Action: August 19, 1969
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William H. Ward, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Mobile Advisory Team 62, Delta Military Assistance Command, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Ward distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 August 1969 while serving as a medical advisor at Cai Doi Outpost in Kien Tuong Province during an attack by an estimated three-company enemy force. At the onset of the attack, the enemy 107-millimeter rocket hit the team house where Sergeant Ward and other members of the advisory team were sleeping. The rocket killed one member and seriously wounded the other four occupants. Sergeant Ward was seriously wounded, but upon regaining consciousness, he dragged one of his unconscious comrades away from the burning team house where grenades, flares and other ammunition were exploding. Refusing first aid for himself, Sergeant Ward immediately began to administer first aid to the other wounded team members. Realizing that he could no longer work in his present condition, he allowed his burnt hands and numerous other wounds to be bandaged. After receiving first aid, Sergeant Ward exposed himself to intense enemy fire while climbing the outpost's watch tower. From this vantage point he called in and coordinated friendly mortar, artillery and gun ship fire and requested evacuation boats for the wounded. Upon their arrival, he again exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to direct and assist the movement of the men to the boats. Refusing to have his own wounds examined, Sergeant Ward insisted that all efforts be directed to his comrades. He aided and directed frantic efforts to save the life of the senior advisor through the use of heart massage and resuscitation. Sergeant First Class Ward's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.
General Orders: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1588 (June 3, 1970) WHALEN, MICHAEL CORNELIUS
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 4th Battalion, 3d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division
Date of Action: February 28, 1969
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael Cornelius Whalen, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 4th Battalion, 3d Infantry, Americal Division. Specialist Four Whalen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 February 1969 as a medic during a search and clear operation near the village of Minh Khanh in Quang Ngai Province. His company came under intense hand grenade, small arms and automatic weapons attack, wounding several men. Hearing a cry for a medic and for more ammunition, he courageously left his position of relative safety with the desperately needed ammunition and crossed approximately two hundred meters of open terrain to reach the besieged element. As he exposed himself to the enemy fusillade to assist the casualties, he was wounded in the leg, but he disregarded his painful injury and continued to help the other casualties until he was fatally wounded by enemy fire. Specialist Four Whalen's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, 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 United States Army.
General Orders: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1558 (May 2, 1969)
Home Town: Lee, Massachusetts *WILDERSPIN, VERNON CHARLES
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Troop B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: January 31, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Vernon Charles Wilderspin, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Wilderspin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 as medical aidman for an armor platoon on a combat mission near Tan Son Nhut Air Base. His unit was moving to engage a combined Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army force which had attacked the air base. It was suddenly subjected to intense automatic weapons and anti-tank rocket fire from the numerically superior enemy. Specialist Wilderspin unhesitantly leaped from his armored personnel carrier to administer first aid to wounded comrades. Exposing himself to a devastating curtain of hostile fire, he gallantly moved throughout the raging battlefield to conduct his lifesaving mission. After aiding many casualties, including his seriously wounded platoon leader, Specialist Wilderspin saw his platoon sergeant lying helplessly wounded in an open area. With a hail of enemy bullets striking all around him, he fearlessly raced to the side of his smitten comrade and performed skillful emergency medical treatment which saved the man's life. Just as he had finished tending the platoon sergeant's wounds, Specialist Wilderspin was hit by the withering hostile fire and instantly killed. Specialist Four Wilderspin's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, 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 United States Army.
General Orders: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1841 (April 20, 1968)
Home Town: East Lansing, Michigan *WINSTON, ALVESTER LEE
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Company A, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: December 4, 1967
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Alvester Lee Winston, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Winston distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 December 1967 while serving as medical aidman of an infantry company on a search and destroy mission in enemy territory. The unit was patrolling a small river aboard armored troop carriers when it was suddenly subjected to intense fire from a Viet Cong force on the river banks. As Specialist Winston's platoon made a beach landing and began penetrating dense foliage, it was hit by another withering enemy barrage. The insurgents were firing rockets, automatic weapons and rifle grenades from well fortified bunkers and immediately pinned the friendly troops down. Hearing calls for medical aid from two comrades who fell fifty meters to his front, Specialist Winston raced through a savage curtain of fire to the injured soldiers. As he began treating their wounds, he was struck by an enemy sniper's bullet. Heedless of his own serious wound, he continued his lifesaving efforts even though he realized the Viet Cong had pinpointed his position. He was mortally wounded while valiantly shielding his patients from a raking fusillade. His dauntless courage in close combat inspired his fellow soldiers to overcome and completely annihilate the insurgent force. Specialist Four Winston's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, 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 United States Army.
General Orders: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1023 (March 7, 1968)
Home Town: Baltimore, Maryland WRIGHT, RONALD J.
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 2d Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Date of Action: May 18, 1967
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ronald J. Wright, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Specialist Four Wright distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 May 1967 while serving as medic of an airborne infantry platoon on a reinforcing mission deep in hostile territory. While moving to relieve the pressure on a sister platoon which was heavily engaged and pinned down by a numerically superior hostile force, his unit was savagely attacked by enemy soldiers firing automatic weapons. As the intensity of the battle increased, Specialist Wright heard a call for help from a wounded comrade. Completely disregarding his own safety, he began working his way toward the man through a hail of murderous fire. The concussion from an exploding grenade knocked him to the ground and stunned him, but he quickly got up and moved to the wounded soldier. He was seriously wounded while administering aid, but he ignored his injury and moved his comrade to safety. Refusing aid for himself, he again dashed through the withering fire to reach another casualty. Despite his own weakened condition, he carried the man back through a curtain of Viet Cong fire and treated the wounded soldier until he could no longer continue. Specialist Four Wright's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty 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: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6350 (December 10, 1967) WYMER, MERRILL F., JR.
Captain (Medical Corps), U.S. Army
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division
Date of Action: August 21, 1967
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Merrill F. Wymer, Jr., Captain (Medical Corps), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Captain Wymer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 August 1967 while serving as surgeon of an infantry battalion on a search and destroy mission in the Soui Ca Valley. Notified that wounded members of his battalion were in critical need of medical assistance, Captain Wymer immediately secured a helicopter and flew to the battle site. He landed in total darkness with fighting raging all around him and dashed to the front to treat the wounded who were pinned down close to enemy bunkers. He constantly exposed himself to ravaging Viet Cong firepower, disregarding his own safety to treat his seriously wounded comrades. With bullets constantly striking all around him, he moved from man to man administering aid and moving the men to more secure positions. For more than five hours he repeatedly refused to take cover although enemy fire constantly raked his positions as he moved across the bullet-swept terrain in front of friendly positions. He repeatedly and skillfully administered treatment in the darkness while the insurgents sought to stop his gallant efforts. His fearless actions in the face of grave danger were responsible for saving twelve lives and greatly inspired the friendly ground forces to fight on through the night to defeat the determined enemy. Captain Wymer's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty 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 Order: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6208 (December 1, 1967) ZAUBER, JEFFERY F.
Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army
Company B, 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light),
Date of Action: February 2, 1969
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jeffery F. Zauber, Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Specialist Five Zauber distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 2 February 1969 while serving as company medic during a mission to relieve a sister unit engaged with an enemy force. Approaching the combat area, Specialist Zauber's company came under intense enemy fire and sustained several casualties. Disregarding his own safety, he crawled forward to aid his wounded comrades. He continually exposed himself to the hostile barrages to assist and evacuate the casualties to a protected area. Having administered to the men of his company, he maneuvered forward to assist the other beleaguered unit. While treating one of the soldiers, an enemy grenade exploded nearby. Because Specialist Zauber had taken the precaution of shielding his patient, only the medic received fragmentation wounds. Despite painful lacerations, he remained with the casualty until recovery was effected. Refusing evacuation for himself, Specialist Zauber continued providing medical assistance as long as the conflict lasted. Specialist Five Zauber's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty 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: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2247 (June 25, 1969) |
