244 Awards Compiled & Edited By C. Douglas Sterner
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B  orn: 10/6/1946 at Montgomery, West Virginia
Home Town: Chicago, Illinois Herda, Frank Aloysious Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) Date of Action: June 29, 1968 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to Frank Aloysious Herda, 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 the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Dak To, Quang Trang Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 29 June 1968. Specialist Fourth Class Herda (then Private First Class) distinguished himself while serving as a grenadier with Company A. Company A was part of a battalion-size night defensive perimeter when a large enemy force initiated an attack on the friendly units. While other enemy elements provided diversionary fire and indirect weapons fire to the west, a sapper force of approximately 30 men armed with hand grenades and small charges attacked Company A's perimeter from the east. As the sappers were making a last, violent assault, five of them charged the position defended by Specialist Fourth Class Herda and two comrades, one of whom was wounded and lay helpless in the bottom of the foxhole. Specialist Fourth Class Herda fired at the aggressors until they were within ten feet of his position and one of their grenades landed in the foxhole. He fired one last round from his grenade launcher, hitting one of the enemy soldiers in the head, and then, with no concern for his safety, Specialist Fourth Class Herda immediately covered the blast of the grenade with his body. The explosion wounded him grievously, but his selfless action prevented his two comrades from being seriously injured or killed and enabled the remaining defender to kill the other sappers. By his gallantry at the risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, Specialist Fourth Class Herda has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
B  orn: 9/13/1947 at Cleveland, Ohio
Home Town: Cleveland, Ohio *Hibbs, Robert John Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Company B, 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division Date of Action: March 5, 1966 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to Robert John Hibbs, 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 with Company B, 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Don Dien Lo Ke, Republic of Vietnam, on March 5, 1966. Second Lieutenant Hibbs was in command of a 15-man ambush patrol of the 2d Battalion, when his unit observed a company of Viet Cong advancing along the road toward the 2d Battalion's position. Informing his command post by radio of the impending attack, he prepared his men for the oncoming Viet Cong, emplaced two mines in their path and, when the insurgents were within 20 feet of the patrol's position, he fired the two antipersonnel mines, wounding or killing half of the enemy company. Then, to cover the withdrawal of his patrol, he threw hand grenades, stepped onto the open road, and opened fire on the remainder of the Viet Cong force of approximately 50 men. Having rejoined his men, he was leading them toward the battalion perimeter when the patrol encountered the rear elements of another Viet Cong company deployed to attack the battalion. With the advantage of surprise, he directed a charge against the Viet Cong, which carried the patrol through the insurgent force, completely disrupting its attack. Learning that a wounded patrol member was wandering in the area between the two opposing forces and although moments from safety and wounded in the leg himself, he and a sergeant went back to the battlefield to recover the stricken man. After they maneuvered through the withering fire of two Viet Cong machineguns, the sergeant grabbed the dazed soldier and dragged him back toward the friendly lines while Second Lieutenant Hibbs remained behind to provide covering fire. Armed with only an M-16 rifle and a pistol, but determined to destroy the enemy positions, he then charged the two machinegun emplacements and was struck down. Before succumbing to his mortal wounds, he destroyed the starlight telescopic sight attached to his rifle to prevent its capture and use by the Viet Cong. Second Lieutenant Hibb's profound concern for his fellow soldiers, and his intrepidity at the risk of his life 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.
Born: 4/21/1943 at Omaha, Nebraska Home Town: Des Moines, Iowa * Sergeant, U.S. Army Company D, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division Date of Action: December 3, 1968 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to John Noble Holcomb, 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 Company D, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Quan Loi, Republic of Vietnam, on 3 December 1968. Sergeant Holcomb distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader in Company D during a combat assault mission. Sergeant Holcomb's company assault had landed by helicopter and deployed into a hasty defensive position to organize for a reconnaissance-in-force mission when it was attacked from three sides by an estimated battalion-size enemy force. Sergeant Holcomb's squad was directly in the path of the main enemy attack. With complete disregard for the heavy fire, Sergeant Holcomb moved among his men giving encouragement and directing fire on the assaulting enemy. When his machine gunner was knocked out, Sergeant Holcomb seized the weapon, ran to a forward edge of the position, and placed withering fire on the enemy. His gallant actions caused the enemy to withdraw. Sergeant Holcomb treated and carried his wounded to a position of safety and reorganized his defensive sector despite a raging grass fire ignited by the incoming enemy mortar and rocket rounds. When the enemy assaulted the position a second time, Sergeant Holcomb again manned the forward machinegun, devastating the enemy attack and forcing the enemy to again break contact and withdraw. During the enemy withdrawal an enemy rocket hit Sergeant Holcomb's position, destroying his machinegun and severely wounding him. Despite his painful wounds, Sergeant Holcomb crawled through the grass fire and exploding mortar and rocket rounds to move the members of his squad, everyone of whom had been wounded, to more secure positions. Although grievously wounded and sustained solely by his indomitable will and courage, Sergeant Holcomb as the last surviving leader of his platoon organized his men to repel the enemy, crawled to the platoon radio and reported the third enemy assault on his position. His report brought friendly supporting fires on the charging enemy and broke the enemy attack. Sergeant Holcomb's inspiring leadership, fighting spirit, in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Born: 6/11/1946 at Baker, Oregon H Hooper, Joe Ronnie Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Company D, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) Date of Action: February 21, 1968 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to Joe Ronnie Hooper, 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 the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hue, Republic of Vietnam, on February 21, 1968. Staff Sergeant (then Sergeant) Hooper, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving as squad leader with Company D. Company D was assaulting a heavily defended enemy position along a river bank when it encountered a withering hail of fire from rockets, machineguns and automatic weapons. Staff Sergeant Hooper rallied several men and stormed across the river, overrunning several bunkers on the opposite shore. Thus inspired, the rest of the company moved to the attack. With utter disregard for his own safety, he moved out under the intense fire again and pulled back the wounded, moving them to safety. During this act Staff Sergeant Hooper was seriously wounded, but he refused medical aid and returned to his men. With the relentless enemy fire disrupting the attack, he single-handedly stormed three enemy bunkers, destroying them with hand grenade and rifle fire, and shot two enemy soldiers who had attacked and wounded the Chaplain. Leading his men forward in a sweep of the area, Staff Sergeant Hooper destroyed three buildings housing enemy riflemen. At this point he was attacked by a North Vietnamese officer whom he fatally wounded with his bayonet. Finding his men under heavy fire from a house to the front, he proceeded alone to the building, killing its occupants with rifle fire and grenades. By now his initial body wound had been compounded by grenade fragments, yet despite the multiple wounds and loss of blood, he continued to lead his men against the intense enemy fire. As his squad reached the final line of enemy resistance, it received devastating fire from four bunkers in line on its left flank. Staff Sergeant Hooper gathered several hand grenades and raced down a small trench which ran the length of the bunker line, tossing grenades into each bunker as he passed by, killing all but two of the occupants. With these positions destroyed, he concentrated on the last bunkers facing his men, destroying the first with an incendiary grenade and neutralizing two more by rifle fire. He then raced across an open field, still under enemy fire, to rescue a wounded man who was trapped in a trench. Upon reaching the man, he was faced by an armed enemy soldier whom he killed with a pistol. Moving his comrade to safety and returning to his men, he neutralized the final pocket of enemy resistance by fatally wounding three North Vietnamese officers with rifle fire. Staff Sergeant Hooper then established a final line and reorganized his men, not accepting treatment until this was accomplished and not consenting to evacuation until the following morning. His supreme valor, inspiring leadership and heroic self-sacrifice were directly responsible for the company's success and provided a lasting example in personal courage for every man on the field. Staff Sergeant Hooper's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army
Born: 8/8/1938 at Piedmont, South Carolina Home Town: Los Angeles, California Joe Ronnie Hooper attended Moses Lake (WA) High School, from his fellow Medal of Honor recipient James Fleming also graduated, making it one of the rare schools in American to be the alma matter of two Medal of Honor recipients. *  Hosking, Charles Ernest
Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Detachment A-302, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces Date of Action: March 21, 1967 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to Charles Ernest Hosking, Sergeant Major, 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 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 21 March 1967. Master Sergeant Hosking (then Sergeant First Class), Detachment A- 302, Company A, greatly distinguished himself while serving as company advisor in the III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion during combat operations in Don Luan District. A Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While Master Sergeant Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand grenade from Master Sergeant Hosking's belt, armed the grenade, and started running towards the company command group which consisted of two Americans and two Vietnamese who were standing a few feet away. Instantly realizing that the enemy intended to kill the other men, Master Sergeant Hosking immediately leaped upon the Viet Cong's back. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he grasped the Viet Cong in a "Bear Hug" forcing the grenade against the enemy soldier's chest. He then wrestled the Viet Cong to the ground and covered the enemy's body with his body until the grenade detonated. The blast instantly killed both Master Sergeant Hosking and the Viet Cong. By absorbing the full force of the exploding grenade with his body and that of the enemy, he saved the other members of his command group from death or serious injury. Master Sergeant Hosking's risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Born: 5/12/1924 at Ramsey, New Jersey Home Town: Fort Dix, New Jersey Charles Hosking was a veteran of combat during World War II, and was wounded in action at the Battle of the Bulge. H First Lieutenant, U.S. Army 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces Date of Action: December 30, 1968
The Medal of Honor is presented to Robert Lewis Howard, 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 with 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Republic of Vietnam, on 30 December 1968. First Lieutenant Howard (then Sergeant First Class), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated two-company force. During the initial engagement, First Lieutenant Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. First Lieutenant Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, First Lieutenant Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As First Lieutenant Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer's equipment, an enemy bullet struck one of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant's belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. First Lieutenant Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, First Lieutenant Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, First Lieutenant Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 3 1/2 hours First Lieutenant Howard's small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. First Lieutenant Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. First Lieutenant Howard's gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Born: 7/11/1939 at Opelika, Alabama Home Town: Montgomery, Alabama Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross (WWII)
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army Company A, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) Date of Action: April 16, 1967 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to George Alan Ingalls, 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 the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam, on April 16, 1967. Specialist Fourth Class Ingalls, a member of Company A, accompanied his squad on a night ambush mission. Shortly after the ambush was established, an enemy soldier entered the killing zone and was shot when he tried to evade capture. Other enemy soldiers were expected to enter the area, and the ambush was maintained in the same location. Two quiet hours passed without incident, then suddenly a hand grenade was thrown from the nearby dense undergrowth into the center of the squad's position. The grenade did not explode, but shortly thereafter a second grenade landed directly between Specialist Fourth Class Ingalls and a nearby comrade. Although he could have jumped to a safe position, Specialist Fourth Class Ingalls, in a spontaneous act of great courage, threw himself on the grenade and absorbed its full blast. The explosion mortally wounded Specialist Fourth Class Ingalls, but his heroic action saved the lives of the remaining members of his squad. His gallantry and selfless devotion to his comrades are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon Specialist Fourth Class Ingalls, his unit, and the United States Army.
Born: 3/9/1946 at Hanford, California Home Town: Los Angeles, California J Captain, U.S. Army U.S. Military Assistance Command Date of Action: March 9, 1968 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to Jack Howard Jacobs, Captain, 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 U.S. Military Assistance Command, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kien Phong Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 9 March 1968. Captain Jacobs (then First Lieutenant), Infantry, distinguished himself while serving as assistant battalion advisor, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The 2d Battalion was advancing to contact when it came under intense heavy machinegun and mortar fire from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well fortified bunkers. As the 2d Battalion deployed into attack formation its advance was halted by devastating fire. Captain Jacobs, with the command element of the lead company, called for and directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewed attack. Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped and the friendly troops became disorganized. Although wounded by mortar fragments, Captain Jacobs assumed command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position and established a defensive perimeter. Despite profuse bleeding from head wounds which impaired his vision, Captain Jacobs, with complete disregard for his safety, returned under intense fire to evacuate a seriously wounded advisor to the safety of a wooded area where he administered lifesaving first aid. He then returned through heavy automatic weapons fire to evacuate the wounded company commander. Captain Jacobs made repeated trips across the fire-swept open rice paddies evacuating wounded and their weapons. On three separate occasions, Captain Jacobs contacted and drove off Viet Cong squads who were searching for allied wounded and weapons, single-handedly killing three and wounding several others. His gallant actions and extraordinary heroism saved the lives of one U.S. advisor and 13 allied soldiers. Through his effort the allied company was restored to an effective fighting unit and prevented defeat of the friendly forces by a strong and determined enemy. Captain Jacobs, by his gallantry and bravery in action in the highest traditions of the military service, has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Born: 8/2/1945 at Brooklyn, New York Home Town: Trenton, New Jersey J Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Company A, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division Date of Action: January 6, 1969 Citation: The Medal of Honor is presented to Don Jenkins, 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 the 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kien Phong Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 January 1969. Staff Sergeant Jenkins (then Private First Class), Company A, distinguished himself while serving as a machine gunner on a reconnaissance mission. When his company came under heavy crossfire from an enemy complex, Staff Sergeant Jenkins unhesitatingly maneuvered forward to a perilously exposed position and began placing suppressive fire on the enemy. When his own machinegun jammed, he immediately obtained a rifle and continued to fire into the enemy bunkers until his machinegun was made operative by his assistant. He exposed himself to extremely heavy fire when he repeatedly both ran and crawled across open terrain to obtain re-supplies of ammunition until he had exhausted all that was available for his machinegun. Displaying tremendous presence of mind, he then armed himself with two antitank weapons and, by himself, maneuvered through the hostile fusillade to within 20 meters of an enemy bunker to destroy that position. After moving back to the friendly defensive perimeter long enough to secure yet another weapon, a grenade launcher, Staff Sergeant Jenkins moved forward to a position providing no protection and resumed placing accurate fire on the enemy until his ammunition was again exhausted. During this time he was seriously wounded by shrapnel. Undaunted and displaying great courage, he moved forward 100 meters to aid a friendly element that was pinned down only a few meters from the enemy. This he did with complete disregard for his own wound and despite having been advised that several previous rescue attempts had failed at the cost of the life of one and the wounding of others. Ignoring the continuing intense fire and his painful wounds, and hindered by darkness, he made three trips to the beleaguered unit, each time pulling a wounded comrade back to safety. Staff Sergeant Jenkins' extraordinary valor, dedication, and indomitable spirit inspired his fellow soldiers to repulse the determined enemy attack and ultimately to defeat the larger force. Staff Sergeant Jenkins risk of his life reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. |
Holcomb, John Noble
ome Town: Corvallis, Oregon
oward, Robert Lewis
Ingalls, George Alan
acobs, Jack Howard
enkins, Don