Medal of Honor: Drew Dennis Dix – Vietnam War – Urban Combat – 31 January–1 February 1968

Name: Drew Dennis Dix
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Organization: United States Army
Unit: U.S. Senior Advisor Group, IV Corps, Military Assistance Command
Place: Chau Doc Province (Chau Phu), Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Denver, Colorado
Born: 14 December 1944, West Point, New York

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Summary of Action

During the opening hours of the Tet Offensive, two heavily armed Viet Cong battalions attacked the provincial capital of Chau Phu, shattering local defenses and throwing the city into chaos. Staff Sergeant Drew D. Dix, serving as a U.S. Army advisor, was recalled with a Vietnamese patrol to assist in the desperate defense.

Learning that a nurse was trapped in a house near the city center, S/Sgt. Dix immediately organized a relief force, fought his way through hostile fire, rescued the nurse, and returned her safely to the Tactical Operations Center. Informed that additional civilians were trapped elsewhere, he again volunteered to lead a rescue—this time extracting eight civilian employees from a building under heavy mortar and small-arms fire.

Returning to the city center, S/Sgt. Dix approached a building held by an unknown number of Viet Cong and came under intense automatic weapons fire. Acting alone, he assaulted the position, killing six enemy soldiers and rescuing two Filipino civilians.

The following day, on his own initiative, he assembled a 20-man force and led repeated attacks under heavy fire to clear the enemy from key buildings, including a hotel, theater, and surrounding structures. Inspired by his boldness and success, Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers rallied and rejoined the fight. During these actions, S/Sgt. Dix captured 20 enemy soldiers—including a high-ranking Viet Cong official—and seized 15 weapons.

In a final action, he attacked enemy troops who had entered the residence of the Deputy Province Chief, successfully rescuing the official’s wife and children. Through relentless personal leadership and repeated acts of valor, S/Sgt. Dix restored cohesion to the defense of the city.

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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. Staff Sergeant Dix distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while serving as a unit adviser. Two heavily armed Viet Cong battalions attacked the Province capital city of Chau Phu, resulting in the complete breakdown and fragmentation of the defenses of the city. Staff Sergeant Dix, with a patrol of Vietnamese soldiers, was recalled to assist in the defense of Chau Phu.

Learning that a nurse was trapped in a house near the center of the city, Staff Sergeant Dix organized a relief force, successfully rescued the nurse, and returned her to the safety of the Tactical Operations Center. Being informed of other trapped civilians within the city, Staff Sergeant Dix voluntarily led another force to rescue eight civilian employees located in a building which was under heavy mortar and small-arms fire.

Staff Sergeant Dix then returned to the center of the city. Upon approaching a building, he was subjected to intense automatic rifle and machine gun fire from an unknown number of Viet Cong. He personally assaulted the building, killing six Viet Cong, and rescuing two Filipinos. The following day Staff Sergeant Dix, still on his own volition, assembled a 20-man force and, though under intense enemy fire, cleared the Viet Cong out of the hotel, theater, and other adjacent buildings within the city. During this portion of the attack, Army Republic of Vietnam soldiers, inspired by the heroism and success of Staff Sergeant Dix, rallied and commenced firing upon the Viet Cong.

Staff Sergeant Dix captured 20 prisoners, including a high-ranking Viet Cong official. He then attacked enemy troops who had entered the residence of the Deputy Province Chief and was successful in rescuing the official’s wife and children. Staff Sergeant Dix’s personal heroic actions resulted in 14 confirmed Viet Cong killed in action and possibly 25 more, the capture of 20 prisoners, 15 weapons, and the rescue of 14 United States and free world civilians. The heroism of Staff Sergeant Dix was in the highest tradition and reflects great credit upon the United States Army.