|
|
|

Although the Vietnam War began in the 1950s, the United States began
supporting the South Vietnamese with supplies and advisors
in 1964 when a U.S. military vessel was attacked, thus
beginning the war for our nation. For African Americans,
the 1960s were a time of change with the banning of discrimination
in voting, jobs and housing. Draft boards throughout the
country were actively recruiting and drafting men and women, both black
and white. African Americans decidedly chose to serve the causes of the
nation, many seeing the military as a way to gain a form of respect which
comes with loyalty to one's country.

CLARENCE EUGENE SASSER
Rank and organization: Specialist Fifth Class (then
Pfc.), U.S. Army, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry,
9th Infantry Division
Place and date: Ding Tuong Province, Republic
of Vietnam, 10 January 1968
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action
at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. Sp5c. Sasser distinguished himself while assigned
to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. He was
serving as a medical aidman with Company A, 3d Battalion, on a
reconnaissance in force operation. His company was making an air
assault when suddenly it was taken under heavy small arms, recoilless
rifle, machinegun and rocket fire from well fortified enemy positions
on 3 sides of the landing zone. During the first few minutes, over
30 casualties were sustained. Without hesitation, Sp5c. Sasser
ran across an open rice paddy through a hail of fire to assist
the wounded. After helping 1 man to safety, was painfully wounded
in the left shoulder by fragments of an exploding rocket. Refusing
medical attention, he ran through a barrage of rocket and automatic
weapons fire to aid casualties of the initial attack and, after
giving them urgently needed treatment, continued to search for
other wounded. Despite 2 additional wounds immobilizing his legs,
he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier 100 meters
away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood,
Sp5c. Sasser reached the man, treated him, and proceeded on to
encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative
safety. There he attended their wounds for 5 hours until they were
evacuated. Sp5c. Sasser's extraordinary heroism is in keeping with
the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great
credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
|
CLIFFORD CHESTER SIMS
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army,
Company D, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne
Division
Place and date: Near Hue, Republic of Vietnam,
21 February 1968
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action
at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. S/Sgt. Sims distinguished himself while serving as
a squad leader with Company D. Company D was assaulting a heavily
fortified enemy position concealed within a dense wooded area when
it encountered strong enemy defensive fire. Once within the woodline,
S/Sgt. Sims led his squad in a furious attack against an enemy
force which had pinned down the 1st Platoon and threatened to overrun
it. His skillful leadership provided the platoon with freedom of
movement and enabled it to regain the initiative. S/Sgt. Sims was
then ordered to move his squad to a position where he could provide
covering fire for the company command group and to link up with
the 3d Platoon, which was under heavy enemy pressure. After moving
no more than 30 meters S/Sgt. Sims noticed that a brick structure
in which ammunition was stocked was on fire. Realizing the danger,
S/Sgt. Sims took immediate action to move his squad from this position.
Though in the process of leaving the area 2 members of his squad
were injured by the subsequent explosion of the ammunition, S/Sgt.
Sims' prompt actions undoubtedly prevented more serious casualties
from occurring. While continuing through the dense woods amidst
heavy enemy fire, S/Sgt. Sims and his squad were approaching a
bunker when they heard the unmistakable noise of a concealed booby
trap being triggered immediately to their front. S/Sgt. Sims warned
his comrades of the danger and unhesitatingly hurled himself upon
the device as it exploded, taking the full impact of the blast.
In so protecting his fellow soldiers, he willingly sacrificed his
life. S/Sgt. Sims' extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life
is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service
and reflects great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
|



|
|
|
|