244 Awards Compiled & Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

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  General Order No. 15, March 24, 1971
  

Home Town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

*Gardner, James Alton

First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army

Headquarters & Headquarters Company (Airborne), 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division

Date of Action: February 7, 1966

The Medal of Honor is presented to James Alton Gardner, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Headquarters & Headquarters Company (Airborne), 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at My Canh, Republic of Vietnam, on 7 February 1966. First Lieutenant Gardner's platoon was advancing to relieve a company of the 1st Battalion that had been pinned down for several hours by a numerically superior enemy force in the village of My Canh, Vietnam. The enemy occupied a series of strongly fortified bunker positions which were mutually supporting and expertly concealed. Approaches to the position were well covered by an integrated pattern of fire including automatic weapons, machineguns and mortars. Air strikes and artillery placed on the fortifications had little effect. First Lieutenant Gardner's platoon was to relieve the friendly company by encircling and destroying the enemy force. Even as it moved to begin the attack, the platoon was under heavy enemy fire. During the attack, the enemy fire intensified. Leading the assault and disregarding his own safety, First Lieutenant Gardner charged through a withering hail of fire across an open rice paddy. On reaching the first bunker he destroyed it with a grenade and without hesitation dashed to the second bunker and eliminated it by tossing a grenade inside. Then, crawling swiftly along the dike of a rice paddy, he reached the third bunker. Before he could arm a grenade, the enemy gunner leaped forth, firing at him. First Lieutenant Gardner instantly returned the fire and killed the enemy gunner at a distance of six feet. Following the seizure of the main enemy position, he reorganized the platoon to continue the attack. Advancing to the new assault position, the platoon was pinned down by an enemy machinegun emplaced in a fortified bunker. First Lieutenant Gardner immediately collected several grenades and charged the enemy position, firing his rifle as he advanced to neutralize the defenders. He dropped a grenade into the bunker and vaulted beyond. As the bunker blew up, he came under fire again. Rolling into a ditch to gain cover, he moved toward the new source of fire. Nearing the position, he leaped from the ditch and advanced with a grenade in one hand and firing his rifle with the other. He was gravely wounded just before he reached the bunker, but with a last valiant effort he staggered forward and destroyed the bunker, and its defenders with a grenade. Although he fell dead on the rim of the bunker, his extraordinary actions so inspired the men of his platoon that they resumed the attack and completely routed the enemy. First Lieutenant Gardner's conspicuous gallantry were in the highest traditions of the United States Army.

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  General Order No. 49, November 30, 1967
  

Home Town: Memphis, Tennessee

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Company E, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

Date of Action: July 15 - 19, 1969

The Medal of Honor is presented to John Gerry Gertsch, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a platoon sergeant and platoon leader with Company E, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, from 15 to 19 July 1969. During the initial phase of an operation to seize a strongly defended enemy position, Staff Sergeant Gertsch's platoon leader was seriously wounded and lay exposed to intense enemy fire. Forsaking his own safety, without hesitation Staff Sergeant Gertsch rushed to aid his fallen leader and dragged him to a sheltered position. He then assumed command of the heavily engaged platoon and led his men in a fierce counterattack that forced the enemy to withdraw. Later, a small element of Staff Sergeant Gertsch's unit was reconnoitering when attacked again by the enemy. Staff Sergeant Gertsch moved forward to his besieged element and immediately charged, firing as he advanced. His determined assault forced the enemy troops to withdraw in confusion and made possible the recovery of two wounded men who had been exposed to heavy enemy fire. Sometime later his platoon came under attack by an enemy force employing automatic weapons, grenade, and rocket fire. Staff Sergeant Gertsch was severely wounded during the onslaught but continued to command his platoon despite his painful wound. While moving under fire and encouraging his men he sighted an aidman treating a wounded officer from an adjacent unit. Realizing that both men were in imminent danger of being killed, he rushed forward and positioned himself between them and the enemy nearby. While the wounded officer was being moved to safety Staff Sergeant Gertsch was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Without Staff Sergeant Gertsch's courage, ability to inspire others, and profound concern for the welfare of his men, the loss of life among his fellow soldiers would have been significantly greater. His conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit on him and the Armed Forces of his country.

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  General Order No. 34, September 6, 1974
  

Home Town: Buffalo, New York

*Grandstaff, Bruce Alan

Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Army

Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division

Date of Action: May 18, 1967

The Medal of Honor is presented to Bruce Alan Grandstaff, Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 18 May 1967. Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff distinguished himself while leading the Weapons Platoon, Company B, on a reconnaissance mission near the Cambodian border. His platoon was advancing through intermittent enemy contact when it was struck by heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire from three sides. As he established a defensive perimeter, Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff noted that several of his men had been struck down. He raced 30 meters through the intense fire to aid them but could only save one. Denied freedom to maneuver his unit by the intensity of the enemy onslaught, he adjusted artillery to within 45 meters of his position. When helicopter gunships arrived, he crawled outside the defensive position to mark the location with smoke grenades. Realizing his first marker was probably ineffective, he crawled to another location and threw his last smoke grenade but the smoke did not penetrate the jungle foliage. Seriously wounded in the leg during this effort he returned to his radio and, refusing medical aid, adjusted the artillery even closer as the enemy advanced on his position. Recognizing the need for additional firepower, he again braved the enemy fusillade, crawled to the edge of his position and fired several magazines of tracer ammunition through the jungle canopy. He succeeded in designating the location to the gunships but this action again drew the enemy fire and he was wounded in the other leg. Now enduring intense pain and bleeding profusely, he crawled to within ten meters of an enemy machinegun which had caused many casualties among his men. He destroyed the position with hand grenades but received additional wounds. Rallying his remaining men to withstand the enemy assaults, he realized his position was being overrun and asked for artillery directly on his location. He fought until mortally wounded by an enemy rocket. Although every man in the platoon was a casualty, survivors attest to the indomitable spirit and exceptional courage of this outstanding combat leader who inspired his men to fight courageously against overwhelming odds and cost the enemy heavy casualties. Platoon Sergeant Grandstaff's selfless gallantry, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

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  General Order No. 52, August 8, 1967
  

Home Town: Spokane, Washington

*Grant, Joseph Xavier

Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army

Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division

Date of Action: November 13, 1966

The Medal of Honor is presented to Joseph Xavier Grant, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Plei Djereng, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 November 1966. Company A was participating in a search and destroy operation when the leading platoon made contact with the enemy and a fierce fire-fight ensued. Captain Grant was ordered to disengage the two remaining platoons and to maneuver them to envelop and destroy the enemy. After beginning their movement, the platoons encountered intense enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire from the front and flank. Captain Grant was ordered to deploy the platoons in a defensive position. As this action was underway, the enemy attacked, using "human wave'' assaults, in an attempt to literally overwhelm Captain Grant's force. In a magnificent display of courage and leadership, Captain Grant moved under intense fire along the hastily formed defensive line repositioning soldiers to fill gaps created by the mounting casualties and inspiring and directing the efforts of his men to successfully repel the determined enemy onslaught. Seeing a platoon leader wounded, Captain Grant hastened to his aid, in the face of the mass of fire of the entire enemy force, and moved him to a more secure position. During this action, Captain Grant was wounded in the shoulder. Refusing medical treatment, he returned to the forward part of the perimeter, where he continued to lead and to inspire his men by his own indomitable example. While attempting to evacuate a wounded soldier, he was pinned down by fire from an enemy machinegun. With a supply of hand grenades, he crawled forward under a withering hail of fire and knocked out the machinegun, killing the crew, after which he moved the wounded man to safety. Learning that several other wounded men were pinned down by enemy fire forward of his position, Captain Grant disregarded his painful wound and led five men across the fire-swept open ground to effect a rescue. Following return of the wounded men to the perimeter, a concentration of mortar fire landed in their midst and Captain Grant was killed instantly. His heroic actions saved the lives of a number of his comrades and enabled the task force to repulse the vicious assaults and defeat the enemy. Captain Grant's actions reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Army.

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  General Order No. 4, January 29, 1968
  

Home Town: Boston, Massachusetts

*Guenette, Peter Mathew

Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army

Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

Date of Action: May 18, 1968

The Medal of Honor is presented to Peter Mathew Guenette, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Quan Tan Uyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 18 May 1968. While Specialist Fourth Class Guenette's platoon was sweeping a suspected enemy base camp, it came under light harassing fire from a well equipped and firmly entrenched squad of North Vietnamese Army regulars which was serving as a delaying force at the entrance to their base camp. As the platoon moved within ten meters of the fortified positions, the enemy fire became intense. Specialist Fourth Class Guenette and his assistant gunner immediately began to provide a base of suppressive fire, ceasing momentarily to allow the assistant gunner time to throw a grenade into a bunker. Seconds later, an enemy grenade was thrown to Specialist Fourth Class Guenette's right flank. Realizing that the grenade would kill or wound at least four men and destroy the machinegun, he shouted a warning and smothered the grenade with his body, absorbing its blast. Through his actions, he prevented loss of life or injury to at least three men and enabled his comrades to maintain their fire superiority. By his gallantry at the cost of his life in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, Specialist Fourth Class Guenette has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  General Order No. 9, April 23, 1970
  

Home Town: Albany, New York

Hagemeister, Charles Cris

Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army

Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

Date of Action: March 20, 1967

The Medal of Honor is presented to Charles Cris Hagemeister, Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Medical Aidman with Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 20 March 1967. While conducting combat operations against a hostile force, Specialist Fifth Class Hagemeister's platoon suddenly came under heavy attack from three sides by an enemy force occupying well concealed, fortified positions and supported by machineguns and mortars. Seeing two of his comrades seriously wounded in the initial action, Specialist Fifth Class Hagemeister unhesitatingly and with total disregard for his 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 Fifth Class 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 Fifth Class 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 Fifth Class 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 machinegun 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 Fifth Class Hagemeister's repeated heroic and selfless actions at the risk of his life saved the lives of many of his comrades and inspired their actions in repelling the enemy assault. Specialist Fifth Class Hagemeister's indomitable courage was in the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces and reflect great credit upon himself.

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  General Order No. 29, June 24, 1968
  

Home Town: Lincoln, Nebraska

*Hagen, Loren Douglas

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

U.S. Army Training Advisory Group

Date of Action: August 7, 1971

The Medal of Honor is presented to Loren Douglas Hagen, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the team leader of a small reconnaissance team with the U.S. Army Training Advisory Group, in action against enemy aggressor forces while operating deep within enemy-held territory in the Republic of Vietnam, on 7 August 1971. At approximately 0630 hours on the morning of 7 August 1971 the small team came under a fierce assault by a superior-sized enemy force using heavy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket fire. First Lieutenant Hagen immediately began returning small-arms fire upon the attackers and successfully led this team in repelling the first enemy onslaught. He then quickly deployed his men into more strategic defense locations before the enemy struck again in an attempt to overrun and annihilate the beleaguered team's members. First Lieutenant Hagen repeatedly exposed himself to- the enemy fire directed at him as he constantly moved about the team's perimeter, directing fire, rallying the members, and re-supplying the team with ammunition, while courageously returning small arms and hand grenade fire in a valorous attempt to repel the advancing enemy force. The courageous actions and expert leadership abilities of First Lieutenant Hagen were a great source of inspiration and instilled confidence in the team members. After observing an enemy rocket make a direct hit on and destroy one of the team's bunkers, First Lieutenant Hagen moved toward the wrecked bunker in search for team members despite the fact that the enemy force now controlled the bunker area. With total disregard for his own personal safety, he crawled through the enemy fire while returning small-arms fire upon the enemy force. Undaunted by the enemy rockets and grenades impacting all around him, First Lieutenant Hagen desperately advanced upon the destroyed bunker until he was fatally wounded by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, First Lieutenant Hagen's courageous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon him and the United States Army.

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  General Order No. 40, Septemer 6, 1974
  

Home Town: Fargo, North Dakota

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

44th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog), 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division

Date of Action: February 23, 1969

The Medal of Honor is presented to Robert Willard Hartsock, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a section leader with the 44th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog), 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Dau Tieng, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 February 23, 1969. When the Dau Tieng Base Camp came under a heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack, Staff Sergeant Hartsock and his platoon commander spotted an enemy sapper squad which had infiltrated the camp undetected. Realizing the enemy squad was heading for the brigade tactical operations center and nearby prisoner compound, they concealed themselves and, although heavily outnumbered, awaited the approach of the hostile soldiers. When the enemy was almost upon them, Staff Sergeant Hartsock and his platoon commander opened fire on the squad. As a wounded enemy soldier fell, he managed to detonate a satchel charge he was carrying. Staff Sergeant Hartsock, with complete disregard for his life, threw himself on the charge and was gravely wounded. In spite of his wounds, Staff Sergeant Hartsock crawled about five meters to a ditch and provided heavy suppressive fire, completely pinning down the enemy and allowing his commander to seek shelter. Staff Sergeant Hartsock continued his deadly stream of fire until he succumbed to his wounds. Staff Sergeant Hartsock's extraordinary heroism and profound concern for the lives of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  General Order No. 47, September 8, 1970
  

Home Town: Fairmont, West Virginia

*Harvey, Carmel Bernon

Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army

Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airborne)

Date of Action: June 21, 1967

The Medal of Honor is presented to Carmel Bernon Harvey, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airborne), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 21 June 1967. Ordered to secure a downed helicopter, his platoon established a defensive perimeter around the aircraft, but shortly thereafter a large enemy force attacked the position from three sides. Specialist Fourth Class Harvey and two members of his squad were in a position directly in the path of the enemy onslaught, and their location received the brunt of the fire from an enemy machinegun. In short order, both of his companions were wounded, but Specialist Fourth Class Harvey covered this loss by increasing his deliberate rifle fire at the foe. The enemy machinegun seemed to concentrate on him and the bullets struck the ground all around his position. One round hit and armed a grenade attached to his belt. Quickly, he tried to remove the grenade but was unsuccessful. Realizing the danger to his comrades if he remained and despite the hail of enemy fire, he jumped to his feet, shouted a challenge at the enemy, and raced toward the deadly machinegun. He nearly reached the enemy position when the grenade on his belt exploded, mortally wounding Specialist Fourth Class Harvey, and stunning the enemy machinegun crew. His final act caused a pause in the enemy fire, and the wounded men were moved from the danger area. Specialist Fourth Class Harvey's dedication to duty, high sense of responsibility, and heroic actions inspired the others in his platoon to decisively beat back the enemy attack. His acts are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.