For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty the Medal of Honor was awarded to SPECIALIST FIVE CHARLES C. HAGEMEISTER United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty Specialist Five (then Specialist Four) Charles C. Hagemeister distinguished himself on 20 March 1967 while serving as a Medical Aidman, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry. While conducting combat operations against a hostile force in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Specialist Five Hagemeister's platoon suddenly came under heavy attack from three sides by an enemy force occupying well concealed, fortified positions and supported by machine guns and mortars. Seeing two of his comrades seriously wounded in the initial action, Specialist Five Hagemeister unhesitatingly and with total disregard for his own safety, raced through the deadly hail of enemy fire to provide them medical aid. Upon learning that the platoon leader and several other soldiers also had been wounded, Specialist Five Hagemeister continued to brave the withering enemy fire and crawled forward to render lifesaving treatment and to offer words of encouragement. Attempting to evacuate the seriously wounded soldiers, Specialist Five Hagemeister was taken under fire at close range by an enemy sniper. Realizing that the lives of his fellow soldiers depended on his actions, Specialist Five Hagemeister seized a rifle from a fallen comrade, killed the sniper, three other enemy soldiers who were attempting to encircle his position and silenced an enemy machine gun that covered the area with deadly fire. Unable to remove the wounded to a less-exposed location and aware of the enemy's efforts to isolate his unit, he dashed through the fusillade of fire to secure help from a nearby platoon. Returning with help, he placed men in positions to cover his advance as he moved to evacuate the wounded forward of his location. These efforts successfully completed, he then moved to the other flank and evacuated additional wounded men despite the fact that his every move drew fire from the enemy. Specialist Five Hagemeister's repeated heroic and selfless actions at the risk of his own life saved the lives of many of his comrades and inspired their actions in repelling the enemy assault. Specialist Five Hagemaister's indomitable courage was in the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces and reflect great credit upon himself.
Read SP5 Hagemeister's Oral History Interview.
