Medal of Honor: Clarence Eugene Sasser – Vietnam War – Vietnam – January 1968

Name: Clarence Eugene Sasser
Rank: Specialist Fifth Class (then Private First Class)
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Duty Assignment: Medical Aidman, Company A
Place: Dinh Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Houston, Texas
Born: Chenango, Texas

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Summary of Action

On 10 January 1968, Specialist Fifth Class Clarence Eugene Sasser was serving as a combat medic with Company A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, during a reconnaissance-in-force operation in Dinh Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam. As his unit conducted an air assault, it was suddenly engulfed by intense enemy fire from three sides, including small arms, machine guns, recoilless rifles, and rockets. Within minutes, more than 30 American soldiers were wounded.

Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Specialist Sasser ran across an exposed rice paddy through a hail of enemy fire to reach the wounded. After assisting one soldier to safety, he was struck in the left shoulder by fragments from an exploding rocket. Refusing treatment, he immediately returned to the fire-swept landing zone to continue aiding the injured.

As the battle raged, Specialist Sasser sustained two additional wounds that immobilized his legs. Despite excruciating pain and severe blood loss, he dragged himself through mud and water nearly 100 meters to reach another wounded soldier, whom he treated under fire. Still refusing evacuation, he crawled onward to encourage a group of soldiers to move 200 meters to a safer position, guiding and supporting them despite his own injuries.

For the next five hours, Specialist Sasser continued administering medical care, comforting the wounded, and maintaining their morale until evacuation helicopters could reach them. His selfless courage, unwavering determination, and devotion to his fellow soldiers saved numerous lives and embodied the highest ideals of the combat medic.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp5c. Sasser distinguished himself while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. He was serving as a medical aidman with Company A, 3d Battalion, on a reconnaissance in force operation. His company was making an air assault when suddenly it was taken under heavy small arms, recoilless rifle, machinegun and rocket fire from well fortified enemy positions on 3 sides of the landing zone. During the first few minutes, over 30 casualties were sustained. Without hesitation, Sp5c. Sasser ran across an open rice paddy through a hail of fire to assist the wounded. After helping 1 man to safety, was painfully wounded in the left shoulder by fragments of an exploding rocket. Refusing medical attention, he ran through a barrage of rocket and automatic weapons fire to aid casualties of the initial attack and, after giving them urgently needed treatment, continued to search for other wounded. Despite 2 additional wounds immobilizing his legs, he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier 100 meters away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser reached the man, treated him, and proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for 5 hours until they were evacuated. Sp5c. Sasser’s extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.