William G. Pfeifle ’66

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William G. Pfeifle

William G. Pfeifle
Class of 1966
2nd Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, USARV

Bronze Star w/Valor for heroism in ground combat, during the Tet offensive, when the battalion Tactical Command Post (TACCP) came under enemy mortar and ground attack. As the OIC of the makeshift TACCP, configured in the open on the bed of a MULE, 1LT Pfeifle remained unprotected, as supporting infantrymen dove for cover, and coordinated the actions of the battalion. Without any regard for his own safety, he located the flashes from the enemy mortars and directed counterbattery fire. Then, under a poncho to neutralize light from the radio console, 1LT Pfeifle radioed counterbattery fire to the battalion mortar section, coordinated the evacuation of wounded and maintained battalion-level command and control. He maintained this activity for over an hour under these perilous conditions without any consideration to his own safety and the danger. Upon emerging from the poncho, it was found to be perforated with numerous shrapnel holes. His devotion to duty and personal bravery enabled the unit to successful repel the enemy attack.

Charles E. March, ’66

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Chuck Marsh '66

Charles E. March

Charles March
Class of 1966
2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, 25th Division USARV

Bronze Star w/Valor for his heroism while leading a battalion task force attempting to reinforce members of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division under attack at Suoi Tre, Vietnam. After making a slow advance through jungle, 1st Lt. March encountered an enemy force of a large force from the 9h Viet Cong Division overrunning the fire support base he was to reinforce. He immediately deployed his platoon, taking advantage of his mobility and fire support. Throughout the battle, 1st Lt March engaged the Viet Cong at a very close range while exposing himself to hostile fire as he deployed his men and secured the perimeter.
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Gordon M. Hanscom, ’66

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Gordon M. Hanscom

Gordon M. Hanscom
Class of 1966
446th Transportation Company, 26th General Supply Group, USARV

Bronze Star w/Valor for heroism during an attack by an overwhelming hostile force at Dong Ha. During the initial rocket attack, 1st Lieutenant Hanscom rushed to the impact area to assist in the fight. Despite being exposed to constant shrapnel and enemy fire, he helped with the wounded and assisted the evacuation of the men. He then organized the remainder of the men while the attack continued.

John Drupa ’66

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John Drupa
Class of 1966

4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade (Separate), Task Force Oregon, USARV

Silver Star for gallantry during a night assault against an entrenched and well armed enemy. Pinned down due to intense enemy fire positioned on dominant the terrain, Lt. Drupa, quickly realized the precarious position and heavy casualties suffered by the lead platoon. He promptly positioned his platoon for attack. As his platoon advanced he started to remove the wounded. He then moved from position to position and organized a withdrawal despite the intense enemy fire. During this firefight, he was continuously exposed while he pulled four wounded soldiers to safety and killed two snipers that were trying to prevent the evacuation.

Bronze Star w/Valor for heroism during an intense enemy attack. In support of the lead platoon, which had come under intense small arms fire and grenade attacks, Lt. Drupa flanked the lead platoon and continue the attack. This allowed for the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the lead platoon.

 

Glenn Dennis ’66

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Glenn A. Dennis

Glenn Dennis
Class of 1966
Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, USARV

Bronze Star w/Valor for heroism while serving as the liaison to the Chon Than District headquarters. When the headquarters came under attack by a North Vietnamese Army unit of unknown size, Captain Dennis responded by evading constant mortar and small arms fire in order to reach the unprotected communications center. While rocket-propelled grenades exploded around him, Captain Dennis coordinated supporting fires from other units in the area.

William J. Ahlum ’66

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William J. Ahlum

William J. Ahlum

William J. Ahlum
Class of 1966
184th Ordnance Battalion, 1st Logistics Command, USARV

Bronze Star for heroism during an enemy rocket and mortar attack of an ammunition dump, Ahlum repeatedly risked his own life evacuating his men from the area.

Roy Sheffler ’65

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Roy E. Sheffler

Roy E. Sheffler

Roy E. Sheffler
Class of 1965
7th Battalion 13th Artillery, 41st Artillery Group, I Field Force, USARV

Silver Star for heroism while serving as a forward artillery observer. While directing artillery fire on a North Vietnamese regiment that had attacked A Company of the 50th Infantry, the Company Commander was mortally wounded. 1st Lieutenant Sheffler immediately assumed command and reorganized the company’s defenses as the enemy attacked. Although wounded by enemy rocket fire, he aided wounded soldiers, directed air strikes and artillery fire against the advancing enemy. When Company C arrived to relieve Company A, Sheffler, despite his wounds, stayed and continued to direct air strikes and artillery fire.

Evans Kayser ’65

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Evans Kayser
Class of 1965
A5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, USARV

Silver Star for gallantry in action while responding to a distress call from an infantry company that had been ambushed by a large enemy force. First Lieutenant Kayser immediately attacked the enemy and when his ammunition was exhausted and fuel was low, he continued to mark the location of the enemy with smoke. After tactical air support was engaged, 1LT Kayser made repeated trips to a nearby air field to rearm and refuel. He then continued to escort supply and medical evacuation aircraft. His efforts in holding the enemy back and supporting the ground troops allowed them to maneuver to a more defensive position.

Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while flying a routine river patrol near Tan An he reported encountering an infantry unit under fire from a superior Viet Cong force that needed air support. He fly to the area of the endangered infantry unit and launched a grenade and rocket attack on the enemy. He continued to attack and provided continuous fire on the enemy.

Army Commendation Medal for for heroism while flying an armed helicopter in support of ground operations.  Upon learning of a heavy ground attack against an Army of Vietnam outpost, 1Lt Kayser rushed to the area and made several low level gun runs resulting in the attack by a numerically superior enemy force being broken and the enemy fleeing.

John H. Grant, ’65

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John H. Grant

John H. Grant
Class of 1965
3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, FMF Pacific

Bronze Star w/Valor for heroism during Operation Hastings. After the Battalion had been attacked by a North Vietnamese Army regiment, 2nd Lt. Grant organized and deployed a defense for a forward aid station under enemy attack. Despite being exposed to constant enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire, Lt. Grant continued to provide security for aid the station, allowing the corpsmen to treat the wounded. In an attempt to evacuate the wounded while the clashes with the NVA continued, Lt. Grant used a flashlight to guide the helicopters to a safe landing. Later that night, he took command of the Company and led them on a four-hour march through enemy territory to a safe location.

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Robert Clifford ’65

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Robert A. Clifford
Class of 1965
2nd Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, USARV

Silver Star for his exemplary leadership, bravery and devotion to his men. On 16 May 1967, 1st Lt. Clifford was ordered to provide assistance to a beleaguered patrol in the Duc Pho, Quang Ngal Province. His mission was to evacuate casualties while maintaining contact with the enemy until reinforcements arrived. Upon making contact with the patrol, Clifford maneuvered his platoon to a location that allowed them to fire upon the enemy. Two attempts at rescuing a wounded man in an area exposed to heavy fire only resulted in more injuries. Clifford then ordered his men to provide covering fire while he charged through the area to reach the wounded man. He carried him to safety and administered medical aid. He returned to his platoon and then called for artillery and supporting fire in order to evacuate all of the wounded. As the medevac helicopter landed it came under heavy enemy fire and was forced to take off before the wounded could be loaded. Clifford deployed part of his platoon and personally directed fire on the enemy until the wounded could be evacuated.