Dec. 3, 1964 - A 30-year‐old Army captain who quit West Point after two years’ and then returned to military service will receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award, in ceremonies scheduled at the White House Saturday.
He is Roger Donlon (pictured) of Saugerties, N. Y., who, according to the citation, displayed “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” during fighting in South Vietnam in July.
The White House said the Medal of Honor awarded to Captain Donlon will be the first since the Korean War. It will also be the first Medal of Honor for heroism in what is officially described as a counterinsurgency effort.
This Medal of Honor is the first to be awarded an individual who distinguished himself while serving with a friendly foreign force engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party, the White House said.
Authority to make the award in such an unusual situation was granted by Congress on July 25, 1963, following publicity that developed from the fact that American military men wounded in Vietnam were not even eligible for Purple Heart awards.
President Johnson, in the name of Congress, will make the presentation. Captain DonIon’s widowed mother, Mrs. Marion Donlon, will be present, along with other members of the family.
The award to Captain Donlon will be the 2,186th won in Army combat service. Five men have received the award two times.
Captain Donlon’s heroic action took place during a Viet Cong night attack against a U.S. military encampment at Nam Dong, in rugged mountain territory about 20 miles from the Laotian frontier.
Captain Donlon was commanding officer of Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong when a reinforced rebel battalion suddenly launched a “full‐scale, pre‐dawn attack” on his camp.
“During the violent five‐hour battle that ensued, which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides,” the White House announcement said, “Captain Donlon personally led successful defense operations.”
“Repeatedly exposing himself to heavy enemy fire, he was wounded four times during the engagement,” the announcement added.
Captain Donlon went to Vietnam on six months’ temporary duty this May and returned to the U.S. last month.
He wears the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Purple Heart for wounds received in Vietnam, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
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