Peter Vanderland
Class of 1964
1st Aviation Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, USARV

Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism during Operation Junction City about seven miles south of Katum. During a reconnaissance mission 1st Lt Vanderland responded to a call from a company that had been ambushed by the Viet Cong and were about to be routed by the Viet Cong. Upon his arrival on the scene, he recognized that artillery fire could not be used. Ignoring intense ground fire, he made numerous passes over the enemy and dropped phosphorous grenades. The Viet Cong scattered and Vanderland was able to evacuate two seriously wounded soldiers. When he returned to the battle, he marked the enemies location for direct air strikes against them.

Walter Reasor
Class of 1964
H Troop, 17th Cavalry, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, USARV

Silver Star for gallantry in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.

Bronze Star w/V. As part of a coordinated, multi-company-size force moving into position to establish a cordon operation against an unsuspecting enemy force, Captain Reasor’s troop was required to transit an known area of heavy enemy mining. The engineer company assigned the mission to clear the minefield could not complete the final 1000 meters to allow Reasor’s troop to move safely into position. Concurrently, an ARVN unit participating in the operation started to sweep the cordon objective area ahead of schedule, potentially compromising the entire operation due to the cordon not being fully formed. Without regard for his safety, Captain Reasor personally led the troop through the mined area, assumed his position in the cordon operation, and began to secure the fleeing personnel. Captain Reasor’s disregard for his own safety, dedication to the mission and personal bravery were essential elements to the success of the overall operation.

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Dwight Galda
Class of 1964
2nd Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, USARV

Bronze Star w/V for heroism during a night ground and mortar attack by a battalion-sized enemy force. Realizing the defending force was significantly outnumbered he immediately adjusted both artillery and mortar counter-battery fire to neutralize the intensity of the enemy barrage. Without regard for his own safety, he moved under the increasing hail of mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire to check every position along the perimeter in order not to be penetrated. Upon seeing a number of soldiers wounded by mortar fragments and small arms fire, he administered immediate first aid, moved them to a more sheltered location, and plugged holes in the perimeter with the little reserves available. He continued to adjust fires during the entire attack eventually silencing the enemy guns..

Air Medal w/V (OLC) for gallantry while confronting the enemy. Two battalion companies were in heavy contact with a large enemy force on the high ground. Neither unit could accurately fix the enemy positions because of the dense foliage, topography and triple canopy jungle. Captain Galda immediately took up position in a light observation helicopter (LOH) and provided fire direction to supporting artillery. With arrival tactical air and other aviation resources, he advanced through a hail of small arms, automatic weapons and RPG fire to mark several positions for effective delivery of ordnance. The aircraft was hit several times. The enemy held their positions despite accurate placement of the munitions, and he again went in at tree top level under intense enemy fire and marked the targets for diesel drums drops which broke the enemy resistance and caused them to flee, as both battalion companies advanced up the hill.

William J. Bell
Class of 1964
Advisory Team 3, Thua Thien Province, USMACV

Silver Star for heroism during an enemy attack in the Nam Hoa District Compound of Thua Thien Province of Vietnam. As the attack began, Captain Bell directed defensive fire from an observation tower. From his position he also observed the enemy conducting a ground and rocket attack on the city of Hue. Due to his leadership and quick thinking, the attack was repulsed. He then repositioned himself and personally fired on these enemy sites with a recoilless rifle. After his position came under enemy fire and despite shrapnel wounds from several near misses, Bell moved his position and destroyed the enemy sites.

Marshall D. Beall
Class of 1964
Team 162, 3rd Battalion (Airborne), Vietnamese Airborne Brigade, USMACV

Bronze Star for heroism when under small arms and machine gun fire in Binh Dinh Province.

John Tilelli
Class of 1963
Advisory Team 84, Dinh Tuong Province, USMACV

Bronze Star for heroic action while relieving a unit pinned down by heavy small arms and mortar fire, Major Tilelli, who had positioned himself on top of the command APC, ignored the impact of mortar rounds and hail of small arms surrounding him while directing the assault on the enemy.

 

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