For covering an enemy grenade with his body to protect fellow Marines on a recon mission. More than six out of 10 recipients were honored posthumously. He refused his own medical evacuation and instead stayed with the company until a new commander arrived. Since 1861, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to more than 3,000 members of the military. He survived the blast, but was seriously wounded and captured by the enemy dying while a prisoner of war ten months later. Single-handedly destroyed a Viet Cong bunker and was then killed while chasing the retreating enemy soldiers. Pfc. For his courageous actions while serving as Commander of a Strike Force drawn from Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during combat operations against an armed enemy. Killed after attacking an enemy force with rifle fire and grenades. During a firefight he single-handedly destroyed a series of enemy bunkers. Single-handedly destroyed a Viet Cong bunker and was then killed while chasing the retreating enemy soldiers. For smothering a grenade blast with his body to protect those around him. Although severely wounded multiple times by enemy fire he continued to throw grenades at an enemy bunker until it was destroyed and he was killed by enemy gunfire. Killed protecting others during an ambush, Risked his life by flying his helicopter into heavy enemy fire to evacuate several wounded passengers and aircrew of a downed helicopter, Threw himself on an enemy grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of four comrades at the sacrifice of his life, For rescuing a downed airman despite heavy fire. He was killed in the ensuing explosion, but was successful in protecting the members of his squad. [6] Thomas Bennett was a conscientious objector who received the medal for his actions as a medic;[7] three chaplains received the medal, including Vincent R. Capodanno, who served with the Marine Corps and was known as the Grunt padre.[8]. Continued to lead his squad, fight the enemy, and help the wounded despite being wounded himself four separate times. Roy P. Benavidez, 455-02-5039, United States Army, who distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam. For saving many lives as a medic during a number of vicious firefights. Lavender background and * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously.All locations are in South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) unless otherwise stated. Voluntarily left the perimeter, set up a guiding beacon, established the priorities for evacuation and successively carried 18 wounded men to the extraction site. Used his body as a shield to protect others in a bunker, moved two wounded men to a safer position where they could be given medical treatment and destroyed an enemy machine gun position before being killed. The recipients must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. During a firefight he single-handedly destroyed a series of enemy bunkers. Rescued a wounded comrade and then smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown grenade with his body to protect other soldiers. Rescued a wounded comrade and then smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown grenade with his body to protect other soldiers. For heroic action when his platoon was ambushed by North Vietnamese forces near the village of Se San in eastern Cambodia. It is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. He refused his own medical evacuation and instead stayed with the company until a new commander arrived. Special Forces Gen. John W. Brennan Jr. recalled meeting Adkins at the ceremony in 2014 where Adkins was presented with the nation’s highest military honor for heroism during the Vietnam War. For absorbing an explosive charge and continuing to fight with weapons and hand to hand before successfully defending a bunker. For destroying three enemy bunkers with grenades and rifle fire, helping to secure an enemy supply cache and directing his men after being seriously wounded. Distinguished himself while serving as a helicopter rescue crew commander, For Sacrificing his life so his unit could escape. For saving many lives as a medic during a number of vicious firefights. Vietnam veteran Charles Kettles will be awarded the Medal of Honor next month for his heroic actions as a helicopter pilot nearly 50 years ago. Sacrificed his life by smothering a mine with his body, Killed after repeatedly attacking and defeating the enemy. Repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to treat his wounded comrades despite being wounded three times himself and continued to help his fellow soldiers until suffering a fourth and fatal wound. Distinguished himself by realizing that Army Rangers were walking into an ambush and, with no air support close by and no radio communication with the Rangers, he sacrificed his life to alert the Rangers of the danger. The first actions to earn a Medal of Honor in this war were those of Roger Donlon who, on 6 July 1964, rescued and administered first aid to several wounded soldiers and led a group against an enemy force. For providing covering fire at the cost of his own life during a withdrawal, For extraordinary heroism while serving as the commanding officer of the 2d Battalion, For providing critical aid to wounded comrades under heavy fire, For actions in Ia Drang, in which he led a successful one man assault on an enemy hill, Sacrificed his life to move a wounded comrade to safety. He survived the blast, but was seriously wounded and captured by the enemy dying while a prisoner of war ten months later. Helped to organize defenses and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to retrieve supplies and return fire. As a result of the three-hour battle, the American naval force killed numerous Viet Cong guerrillas, destroyed over fifty vessels, and disrupted a major enemy logistic operation. 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