Medal of Honor: Andre C. Lucas – Vietnam War, July 23, 1970
Hell on the Hilltop: The Final Stand of Lt. Col. Andre C. Lucas at FSB Ripcord
July 24, 2025

Name: Andre C. Lucas
Rank and Organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division
Date of Action: July 1–23, 1970
Location: Fire Support Base Ripcord, Republic of Vietnam
Summary of Action:
In the crucible of Fire Support Base Ripcord, one of the most brutal and unsung battles of the Vietnam War, Lieutenant Colonel Andre C. Lucas emerged as the embodiment of selfless leadership. A West Point graduate and seasoned officer, Lucas commanded the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, part of the legendary “Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Airborne Division.
For 23 relentless days in July 1970, Ripcord—a lonely hilltop fire base in Thừa Thiên Province—came under near-constant attack by a numerically superior North Vietnamese force. Rather than direct operations from the rear, Lucas placed himself on the front lines, flying low over enemy positions in exposed helicopters to coordinate fire support for his embattled companies. On one such mission, he hovered for over three hours under heavy fire, even after his helicopter was shredded by enemy rounds. When one company ran out of grenades, he didn’t hesitate—he switched to another chopper, flew back into the storm, and personally dropped the needed ammunition, allowing his men to hold the line.
His courage did not stop in the air. When a helicopter was hit and engulfed in flames, Lucas rushed through blistering heat and exploding munitions in a desperate attempt to save a trapped crewman. He ordered his men to withdraw but refused to abandon the burning wreckage until it was too late.
On July 23rd, as Ripcord was evacuated under intense fire, Lt. Col. Lucas was mortally wounded while personally directing the withdrawal. His actions saved countless lives and inspired his men to fight with unyielding resolve. The battle would claim nearly 300 American lives before it ended—but it would not break the spirit Lucas had instilled in his paratroopers.
Medal of Honor Citation:
Lieutenant Colonel Lucas distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while serving as the commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Although the fire base was constantly subjected to heavy attacks by a numerically superior enemy force throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Lucas, forsaking his own safety, performed numerous acts of extraordinary valor in directing the defense of the allied position. On one occasion, he flew in a helicopter at treetop level above an entrenched enemy directing the fire of one of his companies for over three hours. Even though his helicopter was heavily damaged by enemy fire, he remained in an exposed position until the company expended its supply of grenades. He then transferred to another helicopter, dropped critically needed grenades to the troops, and resumed his perilous mission of directing fire on the enemy. These courageous actions by Lieutenant Colonel Lucas prevented the company from being encircled and destroyed by a larger enemy force. On another occasion, Lieutenant Colonel Lucas attempted to rescue a crewman trapped in a burning helicopter. As the flames in the aircraft spread, and enemy fire became intense, Lieutenant Colonel Lucas ordered all members of the rescue party to safety. Then, at great personal risk, he continued the rescue effort amid concentrated enemy mortar fire, intense heat, and exploding ammunition until the aircraft was completely engulfed in flames. Lieutenant Colonel Lucas was mortally wounded while directing the successful withdrawal of his battalion from the fire base. His actions throughout this extended period inspired his men to heroic efforts, and were instrumental in saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers while inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Lucas’ conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.