Medal of Honor: David F. Winder – Vietnam War – May 13, 1970

Name: David F. Winder
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division
Date of Action: May 13, 1970
Location: Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 13 May 1970, Private First Class David F. Winder displayed extraordinary heroism while serving as a senior medical aidman with Company A during combat operations in Vietnam.

His unit had moved through freshly cut rice paddies searching for a suspected enemy force when it suddenly came under devastating automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a well-entrenched enemy position.

Several American soldiers were wounded in the opening moments of the ambush.

Pinned down in the open under heavy fire, the men cried out for medical aid.

Without hesitation, Winder moved toward them.

Completely unarmed, he crawled across nearly 100 meters of exposed terrain swept by enemy bullets.

Before reaching the first casualty, he was wounded by enemy fire.

Ignoring his injuries, Winder continued forward and reached the wounded soldier, administering lifesaving medical treatment despite the ongoing barrage.

Hearing another injured soldier calling for help farther ahead, Winder again crawled into the fire-swept field.

As he struggled toward the second casualty, he was hit a second time and forced to stop momentarily.

But the cries of the wounded soldier drove him onward.

Despite severe wounds and overwhelming danger, Winder resumed crawling across the open ground in an effort to save his comrade.

After fighting his way to within only a few meters of the wounded man, he was mortally wounded.

His courage and self-sacrifice inspired his fellow soldiers to launch an aggressive counterattack that ultimately defeated the enemy force.

Pfc. Winder’s devotion to his comrades reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

WINDER, DAVID F.

Pfc. Winder distinguished himself while serving in the Republic of Vietnam as a senior medical aidman with Company A. After moving through freshly cut rice paddies in search of a suspected company-size enemy force, the unit started a thorough search of the area. Suddenly they were engaged with intense automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire by a well entrenched enemy force. Several friendly soldiers fell wounded in the initial contact and the unit was pinned down. Responding instantly to the cries of his wounded comrades, Pfc. Winder began maneuvering across approximately 100 meters of open, bullet-swept terrain toward the nearest casualty. Unarmed and crawling most of the distance, he was wounded by enemy fire before reaching his comrades. Despite his wounds and with great effort, Pfc. Winder reached the first casualty and administered medical aid. As he continued to crawl across the open terrain toward a second wounded soldier he was forced to stop when wounded a second time. Aroused by the cries of an injured comrade for aid, Pfc. Winder’s great determination and sense of duty impelled him to move forward once again, despite his wounds, in a courageous attempt to reach and assist the injured man. After struggling to within 10 meters of the man, Pfc. Winder was mortally wounded. His dedication and sacrifice inspired his unit to initiate an aggressive counterassault which led to the defeat of the enemy. Pfc. Winder’s conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit and the U.S. Army.