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
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
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
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 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
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
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.

For more information click here

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.

Anthony M. Coggeshall
Class of 1965
269th Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade, USARV

Bronze Stat w/V for heroism in ground combat after his aircraft was disabled by enemy ground fire and forced to land. After landing in a rice paddy, First Lieutenant Coggeshall deployed his crew along a dike while they were still under heavy enemy fire. From this position, he directed the crew to engage the enemy to protect the aircraft and secure a pick-up (PZ) zone for an evacuation helicopter. During pauses in the firing, he directed the crew to strip the aircraft of radios and armaments, and collected wounded from the supporting infantry unit. He then brought in the evacuation aircraft, still under enemy fire, and carried two wounded infantrymen to the rescue helicopter. With the loading of his crew wounded and equipment and armament from his helicopter the evacuation was complete.

Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while performing a critical resupply and medical evacuation of wounded under intense enemy ground fire. After dropping off a case of smoke grenades, First Lieutenant Coggeshall orbited the landing zone until four wounded infantrymen were ready for pickup. After landing, he was forced to remain exposed to enemy fire due to difficulties in moving the wounded. During the 10 minutes in the landing zone, he was unable to return fire due to the disposition of friendly forces.

Distinguished Flying Cross (OLC) for heroism while supporting an infantry unit that had been ambushed and surrounded by the Viet Cong. First Lieutenant Coggeshall’s company was required to perform an emergency resupply mission at night to provide the beleaguered unit with aid. Lt. Coggeshall demonstrated outstanding flying ability and courage while repeatedly delivering ammunition and evacuating causalities during the battle.

M. Rex Cassel
Class of 1965
4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light)

Bronze Star w/V for heroism during a Viet Cong attack during a sweeping operation north of Saigon. Without hesitation and with disregard for his own safety, Cassel continually maneuvered the squads of his unit to advantageous firing positions. When ordered to clear the enemy positions, his leadership inspired his men resulting in a successful attack.