Name: Fred William Zabitosky
Rank: Sergeant First Class (then Staff Sergeant)
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Place: Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Trenton, New Jersey
Born: 27 October 1942, Trenton, New Jersey
Summary of Action
Serving as assistant team leader of a nine-man Special Forces long-range reconnaissance patrol operating deep in enemy-controlled territory, Sfc. Fred W. Zabitosky found his team suddenly attacked by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force.
Exposing himself to intense automatic weapons fire, he rallied his men and directed their defensive positions. Realizing the overwhelming danger, he ordered his patrol to move toward a helicopter landing zone while he remained behind, covering their withdrawal with rifle fire and grenades.
Once at the landing zone, he established a tight defensive perimeter and continually moved among his men, encouraging them and controlling their fire. As rescue helicopters approached, enemy pressure intensified. Sfc. Zabitosky repeatedly exposed himself to direct suppressive helicopter gunship fire around the landing zone.
After boarding one of the helicopters and taking up a position in the doorway to deliver covering fire, the aircraft was struck by a hail of bullets and crashed in flames. Thrown from the helicopter, he regained consciousness despite severe injuries and ran back toward the burning wreckage. Ignoring exploding ordnance and searing flames, he pulled the wounded pilot from the blaze and made repeated attempts to rescue other patrol members.
Despite suffering serious burns and crushed ribs, he dragged the unconscious pilot through enemy fire to within feet of a hovering rescue helicopter before collapsing from exhaustion and wounds.
His actions saved lives and embodied the highest ideals of Special Forces service.
Medal of Honor Citation
ZABITOSKY, FRED WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class (then S/Sgt.), U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 19 February 1968.
Entered service at: Trenton, N.J.
Born: 27 October 1942, Trenton, N.J.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Zabitosky, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving as an assistant team leader of a 9-man Special Forces long-range reconnaissance patrol. Sfc. Zabitosky’s patrol was operating deep within enemy-controlled territory when they were attacked by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army unit. Sfc. Zabitosky rallied his team members, deployed them into defensive positions, and, exposing himself to concentrated enemy automatic weapons fire, directed their return fire. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sfc. Zabitosky ordered his patrol to move to a landing zone for helicopter extraction while he covered their withdrawal with rifle fire and grenades. Rejoining the patrol under increasing enemy pressure, he positioned each man in a tight perimeter defense and continually moved from man to man, encouraging them and controlling their defensive fire. Mainly due to his example, the outnumbered patrol maintained its precarious position until the arrival of tactical air support and a helicopter extraction team. As the rescue helicopters arrived, the determined North Vietnamese pressed their attack. Sfc. Zabitosky repeatedly exposed himself to their fire to adjust suppressive helicopter gunship fire around the landing zone. After boarding 1 of the rescue helicopters, he positioned himself in the door delivering fire on the enemy as the ship took off. The helicopter was engulfed in a hail of bullets and Sfc. Zabitosky was thrown from the craft as it spun out of control and crashed. Recovering consciousness, he ignored his extremely painful injuries and moved to the flaming wreckage. Heedless of the danger of exploding ordnance and fuel, he pulled the severely wounded pilot from the searing blaze and made repeated attempts to rescue his patrol members but was driven back by the intense heat. Despite his serious burns and crushed ribs, he carried and dragged the unconscious pilot through a curtain of enemy fire to within 10 feet of a hovering rescue helicopter before collapsing. Sfc. Zabitosky’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Name: Fred William Zabitosky
