Medal of Honor: Gary Lee Littrell – Vietnam War – April 4–8, 1970

Name: Gary Lee Littrell
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Advisory Team 21, 11 Corps Advisory Group, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Date of Action: April 4–8, 1970
Location: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

From 4 to 8 April 1970, Sergeant First Class Gary Lee Littrell distinguished himself near Dak Seang while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Army of the Republic of Vietnam.

After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hilltop on 4 April, the battalion came under an intense enemy mortar attack.

The barrage killed the Vietnamese commander, one advisor, and seriously wounded every remaining advisor except Littrell.

Left as the only uninjured American advisor, he assumed a critical role in the survival of the besieged battalion.

For the next four days, Littrell displayed near-superhuman endurance.

Repeatedly leaving positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support during daylight hours and marked the battalion’s location by night despite concentrated enemy fire.

He moved constantly to the most threatened sectors of the perimeter.

There he redistributed ammunition, strengthened wavering defenses, cared for the wounded, and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese soldiers in their own language.

Inspired by his fearless leadership, the battalion repelled repeated enemy assaults.

When orders finally came to withdraw, the danger only increased.

The battalion encountered numerous enemy ambushes during the movement.

Again and again, Littrell restored order and saved lives by calling in air strikes to within fifty meters of friendly positions.

Through his extraordinary courage, tireless leadership, and complete disregard for his own safety, he prevented catastrophic losses and held the battalion together under relentless pressure.

His actions reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

LITTRELL, GARY LEE

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Republic of Vietnam Army, near Dak Seang. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on April 4, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, 1 advisor, and seriously wounded all the advisors except Sfc. Littrell. During the ensuing 4 days, Sfc Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he single-handedly bolstered the besieged battalion. Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit’s location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by Sfc. Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. Sfc. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sfc. Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the U.S. Army.