Medal of Honor: George C. Lang – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: George C. Lang
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division
Place: Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Brooklyn, New York
Born: 20 April 1947, Flushing, New York

Summary of Action

During a reconnaissance-in-force mission in Kien Hoa Province, Sp4c. George C. Lang’s unit was met with intense fire from a well-fortified enemy bunker complex.

Serving as a squad leader, Lang quickly identified the source of heavy fire and, without hesitation, assaulted the emplacement. Using grenades and rifle fire, he destroyed it.

Spotting another bunker approximately 15 meters ahead, he leapt across a canal under heavy fire and closed to within a few feet of the position. Again, with grenades and rifle fire, he eliminated the threat.

As his squad advanced and secured a large enemy ammunition cache, they were suddenly engaged by a third bunker. Lang immediately attacked once more, destroying the position with his remaining grenades.

Moments later, enemy rocket and automatic weapons fire erupted from three sides, inflicting six casualties. Lang was seriously wounded.

Despite immobilizing injuries and intense pain, he continued directing his squad’s defense and movements until he was ordered evacuated—over his protests.

His sustained courage, aggressive leadership, and refusal to yield under overwhelming fire inspired his men and ensured the mission’s success.

Medal of Honor Citation

LANG, GEORGE C.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Lang, Company A, was serving as a squad leader when his unit, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission, encountered intense fire from a well fortified enemy bunker complex. Sp4c. Lang observed an emplacement from which heavy fire was coming. Unhesitatingly, he assaulted the position and destroyed it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Observing another emplacement approximately 15 meters to his front, Sp4c. Lang jumped across a canal, moved through heavy enemy fire to within a few feet of the position, and eliminated it, again using hand grenades and rifle fire. Nearby, he discovered a large cache of enemy ammunition. As he maneuvered his squad forward to secure the cache, they came under fire from yet a third bunker. Sp4c. Lang immediately reacted, assaulted his position, and destroyed it with the remainder of his grenades. After returning to the area of the arms cache, his squad again came under heavy enemy rocket and automatic weapons fire from 3 sides and suffered 6 casualties. Sp4c. Lang was 1 of those seriously wounded. Although immobilized and in great pain, he continued to direct his men until his evacuation was ordered over his protests. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness exhibited by this soldier over an extended period of time were an inspiration to his comrades and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.