Medal of Honor: David P. Nash – Vietnam War – Republic of Vietnam – December 1968
When death fell among his comrades in the dark, he chose to become the shield. In a single, selfless act, he turned certain loss into life.
December 30, 2025
Name: David P. Nash
Rank: Private First Class
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Place: Giao Duc District, Dinh Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Louisville, Kentucky
Born: Whitesville, Kentucky
Summary of Action
On 29 December 1968, Private First Class David P. Nash distinguished himself while serving as a grenadier with Company B during combat operations in the Giao Duc District of the Republic of Vietnam. While moving as part of an ambush patrol, his unit came under a sudden and intense enemy attack before reaching its designated position.
Private First Class Nash was the first to respond, immediately returning fire from an exposed position. Firing rapid and accurate rounds from his grenade launcher, he suppressed the enemy assault long enough for friendly artillery to be adjusted onto hostile positions, forcing the enemy to withdraw. Following the engagement, his element continued to the ambush site and established positions along a narrow dike.
Shortly after midnight, while standing watch with a fellow soldier as two others rested nearby, an enemy grenade detonated and wounded soldiers in an adjacent position. Moments later, another grenade landed only a few feet from Private First Class Nash and his comrades. Though he could have saved himself by rolling down the opposite side of the dike, he instead shouted a warning and deliberately threw himself onto the grenade.
By absorbing the full force of the explosion with his body, Private First Class Nash saved the lives of three fellow soldiers at the cost of his own. His selfless sacrifice and unwavering courage exemplified the highest traditions of military service.
Medal of Honor Citation
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Nash distinguished himself while serving as a grenadier with Company B, in Giao Duc District. When an ambush patrol of which he was a member suddenly came under intense attack before reaching its destination, he was the first to return the enemy fire.
Taking an exposed location, Pfc. Nash suppressed the hostile fusillade with a rapid series of rounds from his grenade launcher, enabling artillery fire to be adjusted on the enemy. After the foe had been routed, his small element continued to the ambush site where he established a position with 3 fellow soldiers on a narrow dike.
Shortly past midnight, while Pfc. Nash and a comrade kept watch and the 2 other men took their turn sleeping, an enemy grenade wounded 2 soldiers in the adjacent position. Seconds later, Pfc. Nash saw another grenade land only a few feet from his own position. Although he could have escaped harm by rolling down the other side of the dike, he shouted a warning to his comrades and leaped upon the lethal explosive. Absorbing the blast with his body, he saved the lives of the 3 men in the area at the sacrifice of his life. By his gallantry at the cost of his life, Pfc. Nash reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
