Medal of Honor: Felix M. Conde-Falcon – Vietnam War – April 4, 1969

Name: Felix M. Conde-Falcon
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company D, 1st Battalion, 82d Division
Date of Action: April 4, 1969
Location: Ap Tan Hoa, Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 4 April 1969, Staff Sergeant Felix M. Conde-Falcon distinguished himself during a sweep operation near Ap Tan Hoa, Vietnam.

As his company advanced into a heavily wooded area, it suddenly encountered an extensive enemy bunker complex later identified as a battalion command post.

After artillery and air strikes were delivered against the fortified communist position, Conde-Falcon’s platoon was chosen to lead the ground assault.

Moving ahead of his men, he charged the first bunker, throwing grenades as he advanced.

As hostile fire intensified, he crawled to the blind side of an entrenchment, leaped onto the roof, and dropped a grenade through the bunker opening.

Without pausing, he rushed two more bunkers and destroyed them in the same manner.

Rejoining his platoon, he pushed another hundred meters through the trees before coming under renewed heavy enemy fire.

Selecting three soldiers to accompany him, he maneuvered toward the enemy flank.

Armed with a machine gun, Conde-Falcon single-handedly assaulted the nearest fortification, killing the enemy inside before exhausting his ammunition.

Returning to his men, he took up an M-16 rifle and immediately turned toward the next bunker.

Closing to within ten meters of the objective, he was struck by fire from an unseen enemy soldier.

He soon died of his wounds.

His fearless leadership, aggressive determination, and devotion to the mission inspired his men and reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

CONDE-FALCON, FELIX M.

Conde-Falcon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions, April 4, 1969, while serving as platoon leader during a sweep operation in the vicinity of Ap Tan Hoa, Vietnam. Entering a heavily wooded section on the route of advance, the company encountered an extensive enemy bunker complex, later identified as a battalion command post. Following tactical artillery and air strikes on the heavily secured communist position, the platoon of Conde-Falcon was selected to assault and clear the bunker fortifications. Moving out ahead of his platoon, he charged the first bunker, heaving grenades as he went. As the hostile fire increased, he crawled to the blind side of an entrenchment position, jumped to the roof, and tossed a lethal grenade into the bunker aperture. Without hesitating, he proceeded to two additional bunkers, both of which he destroyed in the same manner as the first. Rejoined with his platoon, he advanced about one hundred meters through the trees, only to come under intense hostile fire. Selecting three men to accompany him, he maneuvered toward the enemy’s flank position. Carrying a machine-gun, he single-handedly assaulted the nearest fortification, killing the enemy inside before running out of ammunition. After returning to the three men with his empty weapon and taking up an M-16 rifle, he concentrated on the next bunker. Within ten meters of his goal, he was shot by an unseen assailant and soon died of his wounds. His great courage, his ability to act appropriately and decisively in accomplishing his mission, his dedication to the welfare of his men mark him as an outstanding leader Conde-Falcon’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.