Name: Edward A. DeVore, Jr.
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Place: Near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Harbor City, California
Born: 15 June 1947, Torrance, California
Summary of Action
On 17 March 1968, Specialist Fourth Class Edward A. DeVore, Jr., serving as a machine gunner, was part of a reconnaissance-in-force mission south of Saigon when his platoon suddenly came under devastating enemy fire.
Automatic weapons, Claymore mines, rockets, and grenades erupted from well-concealed bunkers in a nipa palm swamp, cutting down the lead element and leaving men wounded in the open.
Without hesitation, DeVore raced through the hail of fire and set up his machine gun, delivering a base of fire that allowed the wounded to be pulled back to safety.
Later, when a squad moved forward to recover fallen comrades, they were pinned down in the kill zone by intense enemy fire.
With complete disregard for his own safety, DeVore launched a lone assault toward the enemy positions.
He was struck in the shoulder and knocked to the ground—but he got back up.
Ignoring his wounds and the warnings of others, he pressed forward under relentless fire, continuing his attack.
Though mortally wounded during the advance, he kept firing, placing accurate suppressive fire on the enemy.
By drawing their fire onto himself, he gave the trapped squad the chance to break free and return to friendly lines.
Medal of Honor Citation
DEVORE, EDWARD A., JR.
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, 17 March 1968.
Entered service at: Harbor City, Calif.
Born: 15 June 1947, Torrance, Calif.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. DeVore, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on the afternoon of 17 March 1968, while serving as a machine gunner with Company B, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission approximately 5 kilometers south of Saigon. Sp4c. DeVore’s platoon, the company’s lead element, abruptly came under intense fire from automatic weapons, Claymore mines, rockets and grenades from well-concealed bunkers in a nipa palm swamp. One man was killed and 3 wounded about 20 meters from the bunker complex. Sp4c. DeVore raced through a hail of fire to provide a base of fire with his machine gun, enabling the point element to move the wounded back to friendly lines. After supporting artillery, gunships and air strikes had been employed on the enemy positions, a squad was sent forward to retrieve their fallen comrades. Intense enemy frontal and enfilading automatic weapons fire pinned down this element in the kill zone. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sp4c. DeVore assaulted the enemy positions. Hit in the shoulder and knocked down about 35 meters short of his objectives, Sp4c. DeVore, ignoring his pain and the warnings of his fellow soldiers, jumped to his feet and continued his assault under intense hostile fire. Although mortally wounded during this advance, he continued to place highly accurate suppressive fire upon the entrenched insurgents. By drawing the enemy fire upon himself, Sp4c. DeVore enabled the trapped squad to rejoin the platoon in safety. Sp4c. DeVore’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in close combat were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 39th Infantry, and the U.S. Army.
