Medal of Honor: Edgar L. McWethy Jr. – Vietnam War, June 21, 1967

Edgar Lee McWethy Jr.
Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Date of Action: June 21, 1967
Location: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action:
The air was already thick with heat and tension when the order came: secure the site of a downed helicopter deep in Binh Dinh Province. For Specialist Five Edgar L. McWethy Jr., a 22-year-old combat medic with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, this mission was just another chance to do what he did best—save lives under fire. But what unfolded on June 21, 1967, would be one of the fiercest engagements his unit would ever face—and McWethy would answer it with a level of courage that borders on the divine.

Shortly after his platoon arrived and formed a perimeter around the wreckage, all hell broke loose. A large enemy force launched a coordinated assault on three sides, unleashing automatic weapons and grenades with surgical violence. Within moments, the platoon leader and his radio operator were hit—one mortally, the other bleeding out fast. McWethy didn’t wait for an opening. He ran straight through a storm of gunfire to reach them, shielding his commander long enough to apply critical aid that allowed the officer to maintain command at the most vital moment.

Then came another call—a soldier was down across open terrain. McWethy moved again without hesitation. A sniper’s bullet struck him in the head, knocking him flat. Somehow, he got up, dazed and bleeding, and kept going. Then another round tore into his leg. Most men would’ve gone down and stayed down. But McWethy pushed forward, dragging himself across the dirt, refusing to let pain or blood loss stop him. He reached the wounded and began administering aid.

And still it wasn’t over.

He spotted another fallen rifleman—alone, vulnerable, and exposed in the killing zone. McWethy, now limping and barely standing, moved again. A third round struck him. He collapsed but crawled the last few yards, inch by inch, until he reached the man. Weak and in excruciating pain, McWethy still found the strength to give him artificial respiration, trying to keep the Marine alive. That’s when a fourth bullet—his final wound—struck him down.

He died the way he lived: beside the wounded, putting their lives before his own, giving everything he had to bring one more man home.

In a battle where chaos reigned, McWethy was a beacon of selfless valor. His actions didn’t just save lives—they inspired an entire platoon to stand, fight, and survive against overwhelming odds.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Serving as a medical aidman with Company B, Sp5c. McWethy accompanied his platoon to the site of a downed helicopter. Shortly after the platoon established a defensive perimeter around the aircraft, a large enemy force attacked the position from three sides with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and grenades. The platoon leader and his radio operator were wounded almost immediately, and Sp5c. McWethy rushed across the fire-swept area to their assistance.

Although he could not help the mortally wounded radio operator, Sp5c. McWethy’s timely first aid enabled the platoon leader to retain command during this critical period. Hearing a call for aid, Sp5c. McWethy started across the open toward the injured men, but was wounded in the head and knocked to the ground. He regained his feet and continued on but was hit again, this time in the leg. Struggling onward despite his wounds, he gained the side of his comrades and treated their injuries.

Observing another fallen rifleman lying in an exposed position raked by enemy fire, Sp5c. McWethy moved toward him without hesitation. Although the enemy fire wounded him a third time, Sp5c. McWethy reached his fallen companion. Though weakened and in extreme pain, Sp5c. McWethy gave the wounded man artificial respiration but suffered a fourth and fatal wound.

Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and demonstrated concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp5c. McWethy inspired the members of his platoon and contributed in great measure to their successful defense of the position and the ultimate rout of the enemy force. Sp5c. McWethy’s profound sense of duty, bravery, and his willingness to accept extraordinary risks in order to help the men of his unit are characteristic of the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.