244 Awards Compiled & Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

• 
  General Order No. 61, October 22, 1968
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

Kinsman, Thomas James

Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army

Company B, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division

Date of Action: February 6, 1968

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Thomas James Kinsman, 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 rifleman with Company B, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Vinh Long, Republic of Vietnam, in the afternoon of 6 February 1968, while on a reconnaissance-in-force mission. As Specialist Fourth Class (then Private First Class) Kinsman's company was proceeding up a narrow canal in armored troops carriers, it came under sudden and intense rocket, automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a well entrenched Viet Cong force. The company immediately beached and began assaulting the enemy bunker complex. Hampered by exceedingly dense undergrowth which limited visibility to ten meters, a group of eight men became cut off from the main body of the company. As they were moving through heavy enemy fire to effect a link-up, an enemy soldier in a concealed position hurled a grenade into their midst. Specialist Fourth Class Kinsman immediately alerted his comrades of the danger, then unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade and blocked the explosion with his body. As a result of his courageous action, he received severe head and chest wounds. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his personal safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Specialist Fourth Class Kinsman averted loss of life and injury to the other seven men of his element. Specialist Fourth Class Kinsman's extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are 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 No. 40, June 13, 1969
  

Home Town: Seattle, Washington

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division

Date of Action: August 20, 1968

The Medal of Honor is presented to Paul Ronald Lambers, 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 with Third Platoon, Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 20 August 1968. Staff Sergeant Lambers' unit had established a night defensive position astride a suspected enemy infiltration route, when it was attacked by an estimated Viet Cong battalion. During the initial enemy onslaught, the platoon leader fell seriously wounded and Staff Sergeant Lambers assumed command of the platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Lambers left his covered position, secured the platoon radio and moved to the command post to direct the defense. When his radio became inoperative due to enemy action, Staff Sergeant Lambers crossed the fire swept position to secure the 90-mm. recoilless rifle crew's radio in order to re-establish communications. Upon discovering that the 90-mm. recoilless rifle was not functioning, Staff Sergeant Lambers assisted in the repair of the weapon and directed canister fire at point-blank range against the attacking enemy who had breached the defensive wire of the position. When the weapon was knocked out by enemy fire, he single-handedly repulsed a penetration of the position by detonating claymore mines and throwing grenades into the midst of the attackers, killing four more of the Viet Cong with well aimed hand grenades. Staff Sergeant Lambers maintained command of the platoon elements by moving from position to position under the hail of enemy fire, providing assistance where the assault was the heaviest and by his outstanding example inspiring his men to the utmost efforts of courage. He displayed great skill and valor throughout the five-hour battle by personally directing artillery and helicopter fire, placing them at times within five meters of the defensive position. He repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire at great risk to his own life in order to redistribute ammunition and to care for seriously wounded comrades and to move them to sheltered positions. Staff Sergeant Lambers' superb leadership, professional skill and magnificent courage saved the lives of his comrades, resulted in the virtual annihilation of a vastly superior enemy force and were largely instrumental in thwarting an enemy offensive against Tay Ninh City. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 79, December 4, 1969
  

Home Town: Holland, Michigan

Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army

Company A, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division

Date of Action: February 22, 1969

The Medal of Honor is presented to George Charles Lang, 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 with Company A, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Ben Tre City, Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 22 February 1969. Specialist Fourth Class Lang, Company A, was serving as a squad leader when his unit, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission, encountered intense fire from a well fortified enemy bunker complex. Specialist Fourth Class Lang observed an emplacement from which heavy fire was coming. Unhesitatingly, he assaulted the position and destroyed it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Observing another emplacement approximately 15 meters to his front, Specialist Fourth Class Lang jumped across a canal, moved through heavy enemy fire to within a few feet of the position, and eliminated it, again using hand grenades and rifle fire. Nearby, he discovered a large cache of enemy ammunition. As he maneuvered his squad forward to secure the cache, they came under fire from yet a third bunker. Specialist Fourth Class Lang immediately reacted, assaulted this position, and destroyed it with the remainder of his grenades. After returning to the area of the arms cache, his squad again came under heavy enemy rocket and automatic weapons fire from three sides and suffered six casualties. Specialist Fourth Class Lang was one of those seriously wounded. Although immobilized and in great pain, he continued to direct his men until his evacuation was ordered over his protests. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness exhibited by this soldier over an extended period of time were an inspiration to his comrades and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 18, March 24, 1971
  

Home Town: Brooklyn, New York

Private First Class, U.S. Army

Troop C, 7th Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade,

Date of Action: January 15, 1969

The Medal of Honor is presented to Garfield McConnell Langhorn, Private First 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 radio operator with Troop C, 7th Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Plei Djereng, Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam, on January 15, 1969. Private First Class Langhorn's platoon was inserted into a landing zone to rescue two pilots of a Cobra helicopter shot down by enemy fire on a heavily timbered slope. He provided radio coordination with the command-and-control aircraft overhead while the troops hacked their way through dense undergrowth to the wreckage, where both aviators were found dead. As the men were taking the bodies to a pickup site, they suddenly came under intense fire from North Vietnamese soldiers in camouflaged bunkers to the front and right flank, and within minutes they were surrounded. Private First Class Langhorn immediately radioed for help from the orbiting gunships, which began to place minigun and rocket fire on the aggressors. He then lay between the platoon leader and another man, operating the radio and providing covering fire for the wounded who had been moved to the center of the small perimeter. Darkness soon fell, making it impossible for the gunships to give accurate support, and the aggressors began to probe the perimeter. An enemy hand grenade landed in front of Private First Class Langhorn and a few feet from personnel who had become casualties. Choosing to protect these wounded, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, scooped it beneath his body and absorbed the blast. By sacrificing himself, he saved the lives of his comrades. Private First Class Langhorn's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 19, April 23, 1970
  

Home Town: Brooklyn, New York

Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army

Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

Date of Action: June 2, 1969

The Medal of Honor is presented to Joseph Guy Lapointe, 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 Medical Aidman with Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces during a combat helicopter assault mission in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 2 June 1969. Specialist Fourth Class Lapointe's patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial hail of fire, two soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid from one of the wounded, Specialist Fourth Class Lapointe ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid to one man, shielding the other with his body. He was hit by a burst of fire from the bunker while attending the wounded soldier. In spite of his painful wounds, Specialist Fourth Class Lapointe continued his lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts, he moved back again into a shielding position to continue administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all three men. Specialist Fourth Class Lapointe's courageous actions at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 7, January 25, 1972
  

Home Town: Cincinnati, Ohio

Private First Class, U.S. Army

Company C, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division

Date of Action: September 21, 1966

The Medal of Honor is presented to Billy Lane Lauffer, Private First Class, 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 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Bon Son, Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on September 21, 1966. Private First Class Lauffer's squad, a part of Company C, was suddenly struck at close range by an intense machinegun crossfire from two concealed bunkers astride the squad's route. Private First Class Lauffer, the second man in the column, saw the lead man fall and noted that the remainder of the squad was unable to move. Two comrades, previously wounded and being carried on litters, were lying helpless in the beaten zone of the enemy fire. Reacting instinctively, Private First Class Lauffer quickly engaged both bunkers with fire from his rifle, but when the other squad members attempted to maneuver under his covering fire, the enemy fusillade increased in volume and thwarted every attempt to move. Seeing this and his wounded comrades helpless in the open, Private First Class Lauffer rose to his feet and charged the enemy machinegun positions, firing his weapon and drawing the enemy's attention. Keeping the enemy confused and off balance, his one-man assault provided the crucial moments for the wounded point man to crawl to a covered position, the squad to move the exposed litter patients to safety, and his comrades to gain more advantageous positions. Private First Class Lauffer was fatally wounded during his selfless act of courage and devotion to his fellow soldiers. His gallantry at the cost of his life served as an inspiration to his comrades and saved the lives of an untold number of his companions. His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 49, September 14, 1968
  

Home Town: Phoenix, Arizona

*Law, Robert David

Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army

Company I (Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division

Date of Action: February 22, 1969

The Medal of Honor is presented to Robert David Law, 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 with Company I (Ranger), 75th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 22 February 1969. While on a long-range reconnaissance patrol in Tinh Phuoc Thanh Province, Specialist Fourth Class Law and five comrades made contact with a small enemy patrol. As the opposing elements exchanged intense fire, he maneuvered to a perilously exposed position flanking his comrades and began placing suppressive fire on the hostile troops. Although his team was hindered by a low supply of ammunition and suffered from an unidentified irritating gas in the air, Specialist Fourth Class Law's spirited defense and challenging counterassault rallied his fellow soldiers against the well-equipped hostile troops. When an enemy grenade landed in his team's position, Specialist Fourth Class Law, instead of diving into the safety of a stream behind him, threw himself on the grenade to save the lives of his comrades. Specialist Fourth Class Law's extraordinary courage and profound concern for his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 45, August 28, 1970
  

Home Town: Dallas, Texas

*Lee, Milton Arthur

Private First Class, U.S. Army

Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)

Date of Action: April 26, 1968

The Medal of Honor is presented to Milton Arthur Lee, Private First 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 radio telephone operator with Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Phu Bai, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam, on April 26, 1968. As lead element for the company, the 3d platoon received intense surprise hostile fire from a force of North Vietnamese Army regulars in well-concealed bunkers. With 50 percent casualties, the platoon maneuvered to a position of cover to treat their wounded and reorganize, while Private First Class Lee moved through the heavy enemy fire giving lifesaving first aid to his wounded comrades. During the subsequent assault on the enemy defensive positions, Private First Class Lee continuously kept close radio contact with the company commander, relaying precise and understandable orders to his platoon leader. While advancing with the front rank toward the objective, Private First Class Lee observed four North Vietnamese soldiers with automatic weapons and a rocket launcher lying in wait for the lead element of the platoon. As the element moved forward, unaware of the concealed danger, Private First Class Lee immediately and with utter disregard for his own personal safety, passed his radio to another soldier and charged through the murderous fire. Without hesitation he continued his assault, overrunning the enemy position, killing all occupants and capturing four automatic weapons and a rocket launcher. Private First Class Lee continued his one-man assault on the second position through a heavy barrage of enemy automatic weapons fire. Grievously wounded, he continued to press the attack, crawling forward into a firing position and delivering accurate covering fire to enable his platoon to maneuver and destroy the position. Not until the position was overrun did Private First Class Lee falter in his steady volume of fire and succumb to his wounds. Private First Class Lee's heroic actions saved the lives of the lead element and were instrumental in the destruction of the key position of the enemy defense. Private First Class Lee's gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, the 502d Infantry, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 13, April 23, 1970
  

Home Town: San Antonio, Texas

*Leisy, Robert Ronald

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division

Date of Action: December 2, 1969

The Medal of Honor is presented to Robert Ronald Leisy, Second 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 a platoon leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces during a reconnaissance mission in Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 2 December 1969. One of Second Lieutenant Leisy's patrols became heavily engaged by fire from a numerically superior enemy force located in a well-entrenched bunker complex. As Second Lieutenant Leisy deployed the remainder of his platoon to rescue the beleaguered patrol, the platoon also came under intense enemy fire from the front and both flanks. In complete disregard for his safety, Second Lieutenant Leisy moved from position to position deploying his men to effectively engage the enemy. Accompanied by his radio operator he moved to the front and spotted an enemy sniper in a tree in the act of firing a rocket-propelled grenade at them. Realizing there was neither time to escape the grenade nor shout a warning, Second Lieutenant Leisy unhesitatingly, and with full knowledge of the consequences, shielded the radio operator with his body and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. This valorous act saved the life of the radio operator and protected other men of his platoon who were nearby from serious injury. Despite his mortal wounds, Second Lieutenant Leisy calmly and confidently continued to direct the platoon's fire. When medical aid arrived, Second Lieutenant Leisy valiantly refused attention until the other seriously wounded were treated. His display of extraordinary courage and exemplary devotion to duty provided the inspiration and leadership that enabled his platoon to successfully withdraw without further casualties. Second Lieutenant Leisy's gallantry at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 4, January 25, 1972
  

Home Town: Seattle, Washington

Lemon, Peter Charles

Sergeant, U.S. Army

Company E (Recon), 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division

Date of Action: April 1, 1970

The Medal of Honor is presented to Peter Charles Lemon, 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 an assistant machine gunner with Company E (Recon), 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces the defense of Fire Support Base Illingworth, Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 1 April 1970. When the base came under heavy enemy attack, Sergeant (then Specialist Fourth Class) Lemon engaged a numerically superior enemy with machinegun and rifle fire from his defensive position until both weapons malfunctioned. He then used hand grenades to fend off the intensified enemy attack launched in his direction. After eliminating all but one of the enemy soldiers in the immediate vicinity, he pursued and disposed of the remaining soldier in hand-to-hand combat. Despite fragment wounds from an exploding grenade, Sergeant Lemon regained his position, carried a more seriously wounded comrade to an aid station, and, as he returned, was wounded a second time by enemy fire. Disregarding his personal injuries, he moved to his position through a hail of small arms and grenade fire. Sergeant Lemon immediately realized that the defensive sector was in danger of being overrun by the enemy and unhesitatingly assaulted the enemy soldiers by throwing hand grenades and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. He was wounded yet a third time, but his determined efforts successfully drove the enemy from the position. Securing an operable machinegun, Sergeant Lemon stood atop an embankment fully exposed to enemy fire, and placed effective fire upon the enemy until he collapsed from his multiple wounds and exhaustion. After regaining consciousness at the aid station, he refused medical evacuation until his more seriously wounded comrades had been evacuated. Sergeant Lemon's gallantry and extraordinary heroism, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.