CONGRESSIONAL
MEDALS OF HONOR
Dong Xoai
SHIELDS,
MARVIN G. (posthumous), Construction Mechanic Third Class, U.S.
Navy, Seabed Team 1104., Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, 10 June
1965.
Construction Mechanic Third Class Marvin G. Shields
United States Navy
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving with United States
Navy Seabed Team 1104 at Dong Xoai, Republic of Vietnam, on 10
June 1965. Although wounded when the compound of Detachment A-342,
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, came
under intense fire from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong regiment
employing machine gun, heavy weapons and small arms, Shields continued
to resupply his fellow Americans with needed ammunition and to
return the enemy fire for a period of approximately three hours,
at which time the Viet Cong launched a massive attack at close
range with flame throwers, hand grenades and small-arms fire.
Wounded a second time during this attack, Shields nevertheless
assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety,
and then resumed firing at the enemy for four more hours. When
the Commander asked for a volunteer to accompany him in an attempt
to knock out an enemy machine gun emplacement which was endangering
the lives of all personnel in the compound because of the accuracy
of its fire, Shields unhesitatingly volunteered for this extremely
hazardous mission. Proceeding toward their objective with a 3.5-
inch rocket launcher, they succeeded in destroying the enemy machine
gun emplacement, thus undoubtedly saving the lives of many of
their fellow servicemen in the compound. Shields was mortally
wounded by hostile fire while returning to his defensive position.
His heroic initiative and great personal valor in the face of
intense enemy fire sustain and enhance the finest tradition of
the United States Naval Service.
(Copied from: DEPARTMENT
OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER )
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WILLIAMS,
CHARLES Q.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant (then 2d Lt.), U.S. Army,
5th Special Forces Group. Place and date: Dong Xoai, Republic
of Vietnam, 9 to 10 June 1965. Entered service at: Fort Jackson,
S.C. Born: 17 September 1933, Charleston, S.C.
G.O. No.: 30, 5 July 1966.
Citation: 1st Lt. Williams distinguished himself
by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while defending the Special
Forces Camp against a violent attack by hostile forces that lasted
for 14 hours. 1st Lt. Williams was serving as executive officer
of a Special Forces Detachment when an estimated Vietcong reinforced
regiment struck the camp and threatened to overrun it and the
adjacent district headquarters. He awoke personnel, organized
them, determined the source of the insurgents' main effort and
led the troops to their defensive positions on the south and west
walls. Then, after running to the District Headquarters to establish
communications, he found that there was no radio operational with
which to communicate with his commanding officer in another compound.
To reach the other compound, he traveled through darkness but
was halted in this effort by a combination of shrapnel in his
right leg and the increase of the Vietcong gunfire. Ignoring his
wound, he returned to the district headquarters and directed the
defense against the first assault. As the insurgents attempted
to scale the walls and as some of the Vietnamese defenders began
to retreat, he dashed through a barrage of gunfire, succeeded
in rallying these defenders, and led them back to their positions.
Although wounded in the thigh and left leg during this gallant
action, he returned to his position and, upon being told that
communications were reestablished and that his commanding officer
was seriously wounded, 1st Lt. Williams took charge of actions
in both compounds. Then, in an attempt to reach the communications
bunker, he sustained wounds in the stomach and right arm from
grenade fragments. As the defensive positions on the walls had
been held for hours and casualties were mounting, he ordered the
consolidation of the American personnel from both compounds to
establish a defense in the district building. After radio contact
was made with a friendly air controller, he disregarded his wounds
and directed the defense from the District building, using descending
flares as reference points to adjust air strikes. By his courage,
he inspired his team to hold out against the insurgent force that
was closing in on them and throwing grenades into the windows
of the building. As daylight arrived and the Vietcong continued
to besiege the stronghold, firing a machine gun directly south
of the district building, he was determined to eliminate this
menace that threatened the lives of his men. Taking a 3.5 rocket
launcher and a volunteer to load it(added: Construction Mechanic
Third Class Marvin G. Shields United States Navy) he worked his
way across open terrain, reached the berm south of the district
headquarters, and took aim at the Vietcong machine gun 150 meters
away. Although the sight was faulty, he succeeded in hitting the
machine gun. While he and the loader were trying to return to
the district headquarters, they were both wounded. With a fourth
wound, this time in the right arm and leg, and realizing he was
unable to carry his wounded comrade back to the district building,
1st Lt. Williams pulled him to a covered position and then made
his way back to the district building where he sought the help
of others who went out and evacuated the injured soldier. Although
seriously wounded and tired, he continued to direct the air strikes
closer to the defensive position. As morning turned to afternoon
and the Vietcong pressed their effort with direct recoilless rifle
fire into the building, he ordered the evacuation of the seriously
wounded to the safety of the communications bunker. When informed
that helicopters(added: 118th) would attempt to land as the hostile
gunfire had abated, he led his team from the building to the artillery
position, making certain of the timely evacuation of the wounded
from the communications area, and then on to the pickup point.
Despite resurgent Vietcong gunfire, he directed the rapid evacuation
of all personnel. Throughout the long battle, he was undaunted
by the vicious Vietcong assault and inspired the defenders in
decimating the determined insurgents. 1st Lt. Williams' extraordinary
heroism, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect
great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
(Copied from: U.S.
Army Center of Military History)
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Suoi Tre (LZ GOLD)
EVANS, DONALD W., JR.
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class,
U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 12 Infantry, 4th Infantry
Division. Place and date: Tri Tam, Republic of Vietnam, 27 January
1967. Entered service at: Covina, Calif. Born: 23 July 1943, Covina,
Calif. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in
action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
He left his position of relative safety with his platoon which
had not yet been committed to the battle to answer the calls for
medical aid from the wounded men of another platoon which was
heavily engaged with the enemy force. Dashing across 100 meters
of open area through a withering hail of enemy fire and exploding
grenades, he administered lifesaving treatment to 1 individual
and continued to expose himself to the deadly enemy fire as he
moved to treat each of the other wounded men and to offer them
encouragement. Realizing that the wounds of 1 man required immediate
attention, Sp4c. Evans dragged the injured soldier back across
the dangerous fire-swept area, to a secure position from which
he could be further evacuated Miraculously escaping the enemy
fusillade, Sp4c. Evans returned to the forward location. As he
continued the treatment of the wounded, he was struck by fragments
from an enemy grenade. Despite his serious and painful injury
he succeeded in evacuating another wounded comrade, rejoined his
platoon as it was committed to battle and was soon treating other
wounded soldiers. As he evacuated another wounded man across the
fire covered field, he was severely wounded. Continuing to refuse
medical attention and ignoring advice to remain behind, he managed
with his waning strength to move yet another wounded comrade across
the dangerous open area to safety. Disregarding his painful wounds
and seriously weakened from profuse bleeding, he continued his
lifesaving medical aid and was killed while treating another wounded
comrade. Sp4c. Evan's extraordinary valor, dedication and indomitable
spirit saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers, served
as an inspiration to the men of his company, were instrumental
in the success of their mission, and reflect great credit upon
himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
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BATTLE OF SUOI TRE