Criteria The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding ac... The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Valorous Unit Award may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States; while engaged in military oper... The Valorous Unit Award may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. MoreHide
Criteria The Meritorious Unit Commendation is awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months during a period of military operat... The Meritorious Unit Commendation is awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months during a period of military operations against an armed enemy on or after January 1, 1944. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Military Merit Medal is awarded or awarded posthumously to Non-Commissioned Officers (including Aspirants) and Enlisted Men in the Armed Forces, who have: Previously received citations at the Arme... The Military Merit Medal is awarded or awarded posthumously to Non-Commissioned Officers (including Aspirants) and Enlisted Men in the Armed Forces, who have: Previously received citations at the Armed Forces level, Been wounded once or many times in combat, Distinguished themselves by their heroic actions or Served in an honorable manner for at least 13 years The Military Merit Medal may be awarded or posthumously awarded to Allied Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisted Men for valor while fighting the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam." MoreHide
Criteria Awarded by the Vietnam Government to military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting the enemy and have been cited individually at the regiment, brig... Awarded by the Vietnam Government to military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting the enemy and have been cited individually at the regiment, brigade, division, corps, or armed forces level. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation. MoreHide
Description
USA Vietnam, Headquarters and Subordinate Units, RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm 20 Jul 1965-28 Mar 73, DAGO 8,74
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description This campaign was 8 March to 24 December 1965. During this campaign the U.S. objective was to hold off the enemy while gaining time needed to build base camps and logistical facilities. The U.S. also This campaign was 8 March to 24 December 1965. During this campaign the U.S. objective was to hold off the enemy while gaining time needed to build base camps and logistical facilities. The U.S. also attempted to consolidate its ground operations more efficiently. For this purpose, it organized the U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV). U.S. support in the I Corps tactical zone, composed of five northernmost provinces, was to be primarily a Marine Corps responsibility; the U.S. Army was to operate mainly in the II and III Corps tactical zones which comprised the Central highlands, adjacent coastal regions, and the area around Saigon; and ARVN troops were to retain primary responsibility for the Delta region of the IV Corps.
On 19 October 1965. three VC regiments totaling 6,000 men attacked a Civil Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) - U.S. Special Forces at Plei Me, near the entrance to the Ia Drang Valley, in what purported to be the start of a thrust to cut the country in half.
With the assistance of massive air strikes, elements of the newly arrived 1st Cavalry Division thwarted the enemy in a battle that lasted nearly a month and included several engagements. The Ia Drang Valley action was the costliest in terms of casualties to date. The successful defense of the region improved security in and around the Central Highlands and raised the morale of the soldiers involved.... More
Description 11-12 Nov 1965, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, participated in the first major engagement of the 1st Infantry Division. The battle at Ap Bau Bang was an early example of a combined arms defense o11-12 Nov 1965, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, participated in the first major engagement of the 1st Infantry Division. The battle at Ap Bau Bang was an early example of a combined arms defense of a night position. The action was important because it occurred during the initial stages of U.S. troop involvement and demonstrated the effectiveness of combined arms in jungle warfare.
A task force of the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry, consisting of the battalion's three rifle companies, its reconnaissance platoon, and Troop A (less the nine tanks still at Phu Loi), was ordered to sweep and secure Highway 13 from the fire base at Lai Khe to Bau Long Pond, fifteen kilometers north. The purpose of Operation ROADRUNNER was to secure safe passage for a South Vietnamese infantry regiment and provide security for Battery C, 2d Battalion, 33d Artillery, which was moving north to support the South Vietnamese regiment. On 10 and 11 November 1965 the road was cleared without incident; medical teams even visited the village of Bau Bang as part of a medical civic action program.
During the afternoon of 11 November, Troop A, the artillery battery, the command group, and Company A of the infantry battalion moved into a defensive position south of Bau Bang. (Map 5) Concertina wire was installed, individual foxholes were dug, and patrols were setup for ambushes. Dragging the hull of a destroyed armored personnel carrier around the perimeter, Troop A knocked down bushes and young rubber trees to clear fields of fire. The night passed with only a light enemy probe, but within minutes after the early dawn stand-to (a term applied by armored units to first-light readiness of men, vehicles, and radios) fifty to sixty mortar rounds exploded inside the perimeter. In the first few minutes Troop A had two men wounded. Half an hour later a violent hail of automatic weapons and small arms fire was added to the mortar fire. Under cover of this fire, the Viet Cong moved to within forty meters of the defensive positions. While the cavalrymen returned the fire, M113's of the 3d Platoon roared out and assaulted the enemy. The violence of this unexpected mounted counterattack disrupted the Viet Cong attack, and the M113's returned to the perimeter. The troop suffered three more wounded and one killed when ammunition in a mortar carrier exploded after being hit by enemy mortar fire.
The Viet Cong made their second assault from the jungle and rubber trees south of the perimeter. Again supported by mortars and automatic weapons, they crawled through the waist-high bushes of a peanut field and rushed the concertina wire. One of the M113's in that section of the perimeter was driven by Specialist 4 William D. Burnett, a mechanic. When the .50-caliber machine gun on his APC failed to function, Specialist Burnett jumped from the cover of the driver's compartment to the top of the vehicle, cleared the weapon, and opened fire on the charging Viet Cong, killing fourteen. For this and other actions during the battle, Specialist Burnett was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The heavy fire from Burnett's machine gun and those of the M113's near him broke the enemy assault.
The Viet Cong next attacked west from Highway 13, and again were repulsed by .50-caliber and small arms fire. Several times M113's were moved to weak points on the perimeter so that their machine guns could fire into the enemy's ranks at point-blank range. At 0645 an air strike directed by an airborne forward air controller dropped bombs and raked the wooded area north of the task force with 20-mm. cannon fire.
At 0700 the Viet Cong began their main charge from the north out of Bau Bang, supported by recoilless rifles and automatic weapons emplaced along an east-west berm on the southern edge of the village and mortars in the village itself. The main attack was stopped at the wire by the combined firepower of Company A and Battery C, which in thirty minutes, using two-second delay fuzes,
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fired fifty-five rounds point-blank at the attackers. Despite this wall of steel, one Viet Cong squad penetrated the perimeter and threw a grenade into a howitzer position, killing two artillerymen and wounding four others. Three infantry companies were meanwhile ordered by the 1st Infantry Division to move toward the battle and to envelop the Viet Cong from the rear. At the same time, armed helicopters flew to the scene.
The enemy attacked again at 0900, this time from the northwest, with recoilless rifles, automatic weapons, and mortars. Protected by the berm, these weapons could not be destroyed by direct artillery fire. When an Air Force pilot reported that the villagers were fleeing to the north of Bau Bang, and another pilot sighted the mortar positions within Bau Bang, permission was obtained to hit the village. Fighter planes bombed the enemy positions and armed helicopters discharged rockets and strafed. For the next three hours, while mortars, artillery, and air strikes hammered the enemy, the task force repelled successive attacks.
The battle of Ap Bau Bang went on for more than six hours before the enemy withdrew to the northwest, leaving behind his wounded and dead. Troop A, commanded by Second Lieutenant John Garcia, suffered seven killed and thirty-five wounded; two M 113's and three M 106 mortar carriers were destroyed and three M 113's were damaged. Procedures and techniques learned in training had been proven in battle. The clearing of fields of fire and the pre-dawn stand-to had insured the full application of Troop A's fire-power. The 3d Platoon's foray into the enemy position and the positioning of M113's on the perimeter had demonstrated the unit's flexibility, and artillery and aerial fire support had provided depth to the defense. The enemy had begun the fight; the combined arms team had ended it.... More