Medal of Honor: Gary George Wetzel – Vietnam War – Republic of Vietnam – January 1968
Grievously wounded and losing an arm, he refused to leave his gun. Through blood loss and agony, he fought on—so others could live.
January 8, 2026
Name: Gary George Wetzel
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class (then Private First Class)
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 173d Assault Helicopter Company
Place: Near Ap Dong An, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Born: South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Summary of Action
On 8 January 1968, Specialist Fourth Class Gary George Wetzel was serving as a door gunner aboard an assault helicopter inserting troops into a landing zone near Ap Dong An, Republic of Vietnam. The landing zone was suddenly engulfed by intense and deadly enemy fire, trapping the insertion force and inflicting heavy casualties.
As Sp4c. Wetzel moved to aid his aircraft commander, two enemy rockets exploded only inches from his position, blasting him into a rice paddy and inflicting catastrophic wounds. He lost his left arm and suffered severe injuries to his right arm, chest, and left leg. Despite massive blood loss and extreme shock, he staggered back to his helicopter’s gun-well and resumed firing.
At that critical moment, his machinegun was the only weapon delivering effective fire against the enemy. Fighting through unbearable pain, Sp4c. Wetzel remained at his post until he destroyed the hostile automatic weapons emplacement that was preventing American forces from maneuvering and causing heavy casualties.
Refusing medical attention for his own extensive wounds, he repeatedly attempted to reach his injured aircraft commander. Though he lost consciousness from blood loss, he revived and dragged himself back into the fight. Reaching the crew chief, who was attempting to pull the wounded pilot to safety, Sp4c. Wetzel assisted despite collapsing again from exhaustion and injury.
His extraordinary courage, selfless devotion to his fellow soldiers, and refusal to surrender to mortal wounds saved lives and helped turn a desperate situation. His actions stand as a profound example of valor in the face of overwhelming odds.
Medal of Honor Citation
Sp4c. Wetzel was going to the aid of his aircraft commander when he was blown into a rice paddy and critically wounded by 2 enemy rockets that exploded just inches from his location. Although bleeding profusely due to the loss of his left arm and severe wounds in his right arm, chest, and left leg, Sp4c. Wetzel staggered back to his original position in his gun-well and took the enemy forces under fire. His machinegun was the only weapon placing effective fire on the enemy at that time.
Through a resolve that overcame the shock and intolerable pain of his injuries, Sp4c. Wetzel remained at his position until he had eliminated the automatic weapons emplacement that had been inflicting heavy casualties on the American troops and preventing them from moving against this strong enemy force. Refusing to attend his own extensive wounds, he attempted to return to the aid of his aircraft commander but passed out from loss of blood.
Regaining consciousness, he persisted in his efforts to drag himself to the aid of his fellow crewman. After an agonizing effort, he came to the side of the crew chief who was attempting to drag the wounded aircraft commander to the safety of a nearby dike. Unswerving in his devotion to his fellow man, Sp4c. Wetzel assisted his crew chief even though he lost consciousness once again during this action. Sp4c. Wetzel displayed extraordinary heroism in his efforts to aid his fellow crewmen. His gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
