244 Awards Compiled & Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

• 
  General Order No. 36, July 16, 1971
  

Home Town: Tawas City, Michigan

*Leonard, Matthew

Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division

Date of Action: February 28, 1967

The Medal of Honor is presented to Matthew Leonard, Sergeant 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 Company B, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Suoi Da, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 February 1967. Platoon Sergeant Leonard's platoon was suddenly attacked by a large enemy force employing small arms, automatic weapons, and hand grenades. Although the platoon leader and several other key leaders were among the first wounded, Platoon Sergeant Leonard quickly rallied his men to throw back the initial enemy assaults. During the short pause that followed, he organized a defensive perimeter, redistributed ammunition, and inspired his comrades through his forceful leadership and words of encouragement. Noticing a wounded companion outside the perimeter, he dragged the man to safety but was struck by a sniper's bullet which shattered his left hand. Refusing medical attention and continuously exposing himself to the increasing fire as the enemy again assaulted the perimeter, Platoon Sergeant Leonard moved from position to position to direct the fire of his men against the well camouflaged foe. Under the cover of the main attack, the enemy moved a machinegun into a location where it could sweep the entire perimeter. This threat was magnified when the platoon machinegun in this area malfunctioned. Platoon Sergeant Leonard quickly crawled to the gun position and was helping to clear the malfunction when the gunner and other men in the vicinity were wounded by fire from the enemy machinegun. Platoon Sergeant Leonard rose to his feet, charged the enemy gun and destroyed the hostile crew despite being hit several times by enemy fire. He moved to a tree, propped himself against it, and continued to engage the enemy until he succumbed to his many wounds. His fighting spirit, heroic leadership, and valiant acts inspired the remaining members of his platoon to hold back the enemy until assistance arrived. Platoon Sergeant Leonard's profound courage and devotion to his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and his gallant actions reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

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  General Order No. 2, January 9, 1969
  

Home Town: Birmingham, Alabama

Liteky, Charles James

Captain (Chaplain), U.S. Army

Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light),

Date of Action: December 6, 1967

The Medal of Honor is presented to Charles James Liteky, Captain (Chaplain), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Chaplain with Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Phuoc-Lac, Bien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam, on December 6, 1967. Chaplain Liteky was participating in a search and destroy operation when Company A came under intense fire from a battalion size enemy force. Momentarily stunned from the immediate encounter that ensued, the men hugged the ground for cover. Observing two wounded men, Chaplain Liteky moved to within 15 meters of an enemy machinegun position to reach them, placing himself between the enemy and the wounded men. When there was a brief respite in the fighting, he managed to drag them to the relative safety of the landing zone. Inspired by his courageous actions, the company rallied and began placing a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy's positions. In a magnificent display of courage and leadership, Chaplain Liteky began moving upright through the enemy fire, administering last rites to the dying and evacuating the wounded. Noticing another trapped and seriously wounded man, Chaplain Liteky crawled to his aid. Realizing that the wounded man was too heavy to carry, he rolled on his back, placed the man on his chest and through sheer determination and fortitude crawled back to the landing zone using his elbows and heels to push himself along. Pausing for breath momentarily, he returned to the action and came upon a man entangled in the dense, thorny underbrush. Once more intense enemy fire was directed at him, but Chaplain Liteky stood his ground and calmly broke the vines and carried the man to the landing zone for evacuation. On several occasions when the landing zone was under small arms and rocket fire, Chaplain Liteky stood up in the face of hostile fire and personally directed the medivac helicopters into and out of the area. With the wounded safely evacuated, Chaplain Liteky returned to the perimeter, constantly encouraging and inspiring the men. Upon the unit's relief on the morning of 7 December 1967, it was discovered that despite painful wounds in the neck and foot, Chaplain Liteky had personally carried over 20 men to the landing zone for evacuation during the savage fighting. Through his indomitable inspiration and heroic actions, Chaplain Liteky saved the lives of a number of his comrades and enabled the company to repulse the enemy. Chaplain Liteky's actions reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 77, December 10, 1968
  

Home Town: Fort Hamilton, New York

Littrell, Gary Lee

Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

Advisory Team 21, II Corps Advisory Group, U.S. Military Assistance Command

Date of Action: April 04 - 8, 1970

The Medal of Honor is presented to Gary Lee Littrell, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy aggressor forces at Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, from 4 to 8 April 1970. Sergeant First Class Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Republic of Vietnam Army, near Dak Seang. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on April 4, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, one advisor, and seriously wounded all the advisors except Sergeant First Class Littrell. During the ensuing four days, Sergeant First Class Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he single-handedly bolstered the besieged battalion. Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by Sergeant First Class Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. Sergeant First Class Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sergeant First Class Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 41, November 5, 1973
  

Home Town: Los Angeles, California

*Long, Donald Russell

Sergeant, U.S. Army

Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division

Date of Action: June 30, 1966

The Medal of Honor is presented to Donald Russell Long, 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 Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Republic of Vietnam, on 30 June 1966. Troops B and C, while conducting a reconnaissance mission along a road were suddenly attacked by a Viet Cong regiment, supported by mortars, recoilless rifles and machineguns, from concealed positions astride the road. Sergeant Long abandoned the relative safety of his armored personnel carrier and braved a withering hail of enemy fire to carry wounded men to evacuation helicopters. As the platoon fought its way forward to re-supply advanced elements, Sergeant Long repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire at point blank range to provide the needed supplies. While assaulting the Viet Cong position, Sergeant Long inspired his comrades by fearlessly standing unprotected to repel the enemy with rifle fire and grenades as they attempted to mount his carrier. When the enemy threatened to overrun a disabled carrier nearby, Sergeant Long again disregarded his own safety to help the severely wounded crew to safety. As he was handing arms to the less seriously wounded and reorganizing them to press the attack, an enemy grenade was hurled onto the carrier deck. Immediately recognizing the imminent danger, he instinctively shouted a warning to the crew and pushed to safety one man who had not heard his warning over the roar of battle. Realizing that these actions would not fully protect the exposed crewmen from the deadly explosion, he threw himself over the grenade to absorb the blast and thereby saved the lives of eight of his comrades at the expense of his life. Throughout the battle, Sergeant Long's extraordinary heroism, courage and supreme devotion to his men were in the finest tradition of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 13, April 4, 1968
  

Home Town: Ashland, Kentucky

*Lozada, Carlos James

Private First Class, U.S. Army

Company A, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade,

Date of Action: November 20, 1967

The Medal of Honor is presented to Carlos James Lozada, 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 machine gunner with 1st Platoon, Company A, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Hill 875, in the battle of Dak To, Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 20 November 20, 1967. Private First Class Lozada was part of a four-man early warning outpost, located 35 meters from his company's lines. At 1400 hours a North Vietnamese Army company rapidly approached the outpost along a well defined trail. Private First Class Lozada alerted his comrades and commenced firing at the enemy who were within ten meters of the outpost. His heavy and accurate machinegun fire killed at least 20 North Vietnamese soldiers and completely disrupted their initial attack. Private First Class Lozada remained in an exposed position and continued to pour deadly fire upon the enemy despite the urgent pleas of his comrades to withdraw. The enemy continued their assault, attempting to envelop the outpost. At the same time enemy forces launched a heavy attack on the forward west flank of Company A with the intent to cut them off from their battalion. Company A was given the order to withdraw. Private First Class Lozada apparently realized that if he abandoned his position there would be nothing to hold back the surging North Vietnamese soldiers and that the entire company withdrawal would be jeopardized. He called for his comrades to move back and that he would stay and provide cover for them. He made this decision realizing that the enemy was converging on three sides of his position and only meters away, and a delay in withdrawal meant almost certain death. Private First Class Lozada continued to deliver a heavy, accurate volume of suppressive fire against the enemy until he was mortally wounded and had to be carried during the withdrawal. His heroic deed served as an example and an inspiration to his comrades throughout the ensuing four-day battle. Private First Class Lozada's actions are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 77, December 4, 1969
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

Date of Action: July 01 - 23, 1970

The Medal of Honor is presented to Andre Cavaro Lucas, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Fire Support Base Ripcord, Republic of Vietnam, from 1 - 23 July 1970. Although the fire base was constantly subjected to heavy attacks by a numerically superior enemy force throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Lucas, forsaking his own safety, performed numerous acts of extraordinary valor in directing the defense of the allied position. On one occasion, he flew in a helicopter at treetop level above an entrenched enemy directing the fire of one of his companies for over three hours. Even though his helicopter was heavily damaged by enemy fire, he remained in an exposed position until the company expended its supply of grenades. He then transferred to another helicopter, dropped critically needed grenades to the troops, and resumed his perilous mission of directing fire on the enemy. These courageous actions by Lieutenant Colonel Lucas prevented the company from being encircled and destroyed by a larger enemy force. On another occasion, Lieutenant Colonel Lucas attempted to rescue a crewman trapped in a burning helicopter. As the flames in the. aircraft spread, and enemy fire became intense, Lieutenant Colonel Lucas ordered all members of the rescue party to safety. Then, at great personal risk, he continued the rescue effort amid concentrated enemy mortar fire, intense heat, and exploding ammunition until the aircraft was completely engulfed in flames. Lieutenant Colonel Lucas was mortally wounded while directing the successful withdrawal of his battalion from the fire base. His actions throughout this extended period inspired his men to heroic efforts, and were instrumental in saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers while inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Lucas' conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, at the cost of his own life, were 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. 33, September 6, 1974
  

Home Town: West Point, New York

Sergeant, U.S. Army

Company D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division

Date of Action: December 15, 1967

The Medal of Honor is presented to Allan James Lynch, 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 radio operator with Company D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at My An (2), Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 15 December 1967. While serving in the forward element on an operation near the village of My An, Sergeant Lynch's unit became heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force. Quickly and accurately assessing the situation, Sergeant Lynch provided his commander with information which subsequently proved essential to the unit's successful actions. Observing three wounded comrades lying exposed to enemy fire, Sergeant Lynch dashed across 50 meters of open ground through a withering hail of enemy fire to administer aid. Reconnoitering a nearby trench for a covered position to protect the wounded from intense hostile fire, he killed two enemy soldiers at point blank range. With the trench cleared, he unhesitatingly returned to the fire-swept area three times to carry the wounded men to safety. When his company was forced to withdraw by the superior firepower of the enemy, Sergeant Lynch remained to aid his comrades at the risk of his life rather than abandon them. Alone, he defended his isolated position for two hours against the advancing enemy. Using only his rifle and a grenade, he stopped them just short of his trench, killing five. Again, disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain five times to carry his wounded comrades to a more secure area. Once he had assured their comfort and safety, Sergeant Lynch located the counterattacking friendly company to assist in directing the attack and evacuating the three casualties. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in the highest traditions of the military service, Sergeant Lynch has reflected great credit on himself, the 12th Cavalry, and the United States Army.

• 
  General Order No. 33, June 5, 1970
  

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army

Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)

Date of Action: November 14, 1965

The Medal of Honor is presented to Walter Joseph Marm, 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 as a platoon leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on November 14, 1965. First Lieutenant Marm's company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. First Lieutenant Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long, and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all four. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machinegun, he deliberately exposed himself to draw its fire. Thus locating its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed on him and his platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground, and hurled grenades into the enemy position, killing some of the eight insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy. First Lieutenant Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of this mission. First Lieutenant Marm's gallantry on the battlefield and his extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

• 
  General Order No. 7, February 15, 1967
  

Home Town: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division

Date of Action: May 14, 1968

The Medal of Honor is presented to Finnis Dawson McCleery, Sergeant 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 platoon leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 May 1968. A combined force was assigned the mission of assaulting a reinforced company of North Vietnamese Army regulars, well entrenched on Hill 352, 17 miles west of Tam Ky. As Platoon Sergeant McCleery led his men up the hill and across an open area to close with the enemy, his platoon and other friendly elements were pinned down by tremendously heavy fire coming from the fortified enemy positions. Realizing the severe damage that the enemy could inflict on the combined force in the event that their attack was completely halted, Platoon Sergeant McCleery rose from his sheltered position and began a one-man assault on the bunker complex. With extraordinary courage, he moved across 60 meters of open ground as bullets struck all around him and rockets and grenades literally exploded at his feet. As he came within 30 meters of the key enemy bunker, Platoon Sergeant McCleery began firing furiously from the hip and throwing hand grenades. At this point in his assault, he was painfully wounded by shrapnel, but, with complete disregard for his wound, he continued his advance on the key bunker and killed all of its occupants. Having successfully and single-handedly breached the enemy perimeter, he climbed to the top of the bunker he had just captured and, in full view of the enemy, shouted encouragement to his men to follow his assault. As the friendly forces moved forward, Platoon Sergeant McCleery began a lateral assault on the enemy bunker line. He continued to expose himself to the intense enemy fire as he moved from bunker to bunker, destroying each in turn. He was wounded a second time by shrapnel as he destroyed and routed the enemy from the hill. Platoon Sergeant McCleery is personally credited with eliminating several key enemy positions and inspiring the assault that resulted in gaining control of Hill 352. His extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, was in keeping with the highest standards of the military service, and reflects great credit on him, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.