Medal of Honor: Gary G. Wetzel – Vietnam War, January 8, 1968

Gary George Wetzel
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: 173rd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion
Date of Action: January 8, 1968
Location: Near Ap Dong An, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action:
On a blood-soaked rice paddy near Ap Dong An, Specialist Gary Wetzel made a choice—he could lie still and die, or rise and fight. He chose to fight.

Wetzel was serving as a door gunner aboard a helicopter tasked with inserting troops into a hot landing zone. As the chopper neared its drop point, two rockets tore through the sky, exploding nearby and blasting the aircraft out of control. The wreck slammed into the ground. Wetzel was hurled from the wreckage, gravely wounded.

His left arm was nearly torn from his body. His right arm and chest were peppered with shrapnel. His leg was torn open. Most men would have succumbed to shock and pain—but not Wetzel.

He dragged himself back to his shattered helicopter and manned his gun, opening fire on enemy positions just yards away. His withering fire suppressed a nearby enemy emplacement that was slaughtering American troops, buying time for others to regroup.

Though slipping in and out of consciousness, he crawled through the muck to aid his wounded aircraft commander. When he collapsed from blood loss, he fought to rise again—and did. He joined the crew chief in moving the wounded to safety, refusing aid for himself until others were tended to first.

Bleeding, broken, but unbowed, Wetzel turned the tide that day—not with strength alone, but with undying will. For that, he earned the nation’s highest honor.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Sp4c. Wetzel, United States Army, distinguished himself while serving with the 173d Assault Helicopter Company. He was serving as a door gunner aboard a helicopter during an insertion mission near Ap Dong An in the Republic of Vietnam.

As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it was struck by enemy ground fire and crashed, severely damaging the aircraft and throwing Sp4c. Wetzel from his position. Despite being critically wounded—his left arm severed and suffering further wounds to his right arm, chest, and left leg—he ignored his own injuries and fought his way back to the helicopter.

Reaching his position, he remounted his machine gun and began delivering effective fire upon the enemy, silencing a position that was inflicting heavy casualties on the American troops in the area. His actions allowed others to move to safety and provided critical cover during the intense engagement.

Although in extreme pain and near collapse from blood loss, Sp4c. Wetzel attempted to assist his aircraft commander, who was also wounded. Losing consciousness, he collapsed, but upon regaining it, crawled to aid the crew chief in moving the wounded commander. He continued his efforts until he again lost consciousness.

Sp4c. Wetzel's gallant actions, selfless devotion to duty, and extraordinary courage under fire were instrumental in saving the lives of his comrades and are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service. His bravery reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.