Medal of Honor: Gordon R. Roberts – Vietnam, July 11, 1969

Name: Gordon R. Roberts

Rank at Time of Action: Sergeant (then Specialist Fourth Class)
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), U.S. Army
Date of Action: July 11, 1969
Location: Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action:
In the dense jungles of Vietnam’s Thua Thien Province, 19-year-old Specialist Gordon Roberts found himself in the jaws of one of the war’s most intense firefights. His platoon had been moving along a ridgeline to relieve a friendly unit pinned down by fortified North Vietnamese positions when they themselves came under sudden, withering fire from camouflaged bunkers. Machine guns and grenades erupted from the hillside, freezing the advance.

Seeing his fellow soldiers trapped, Roberts launched a one-man assault. Crawling to within range, he rose to his feet and sprinted directly at the first bunker, firing as he ran. He killed both enemy occupants. Then he turned his attention to a second bunker—only to have his rifle shot from his hands. Undaunted, he picked up a fallen comrade’s weapon and pressed on, silencing that position as well. He continued forward, destroying a third bunker with grenades, then pushed on to assault a fourth.

Now cut off and alone, Roberts refused to retreat. He linked up with the besieged friendly unit, and while under continuous enemy fire, assisted in evacuating the wounded, hauling them to safety before returning to his own platoon.

For his extraordinary courage, determination, and complete disregard for personal safety, Roberts was awarded the Medal of Honor—becoming one of the youngest living recipients of the war.

But his story didn’t end there.

Roberts chose to stay in uniform, continuing to serve his country long after the jungles of Vietnam fell silent. Over the course of nearly four decades, he rose through the ranks, ultimately retiring as a Colonel in the United States Army. His legacy is one not only of heroism under fire—but of lifelong dedication to service, leadership, and sacrifice.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Roberts distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company B, during combat operations. Sgt. Roberts’ platoon was maneuvering along a ridge to attack heavily fortified enemy bunker positions which had pinned down an adjoining friendly company. As the platoon approached the enemy positions, it was suddenly pinned down by heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire from camouflaged enemy fortifications atop the overlooking hill. Seeing his platoon immobilized and in danger of failing in its mission, Sgt. Roberts crawled rapidly toward the closest enemy bunker. With complete disregard for his safety, he leaped to his feet and charged the bunker, firing as he ran. Despite the intense enemy fire directed at him, Sgt. Roberts silenced the 2-man bunker. Without hesitation, Sgt. Roberts continued his 1-man assault on a second bunker. As he neared the second bunker, a burst of enemy fire knocked his rifle from his hands. Sgt. Roberts picked up a rifle dropped by a comrade and continued his assault, silencing the bunker. He continued his charge against a third bunker and destroyed it with well-thrown hand grenades. Although Sgt. Roberts was now cut off from his platoon, he continued his assault against a fourth enemy emplacement. He fought through a heavy hail of fire to join elements of the adjoining company which had been pinned down by the enemy fire. Although continually exposed to hostile fire, he assisted in moving wounded personnel from exposed positions on the hilltop to an evacuation area before returning to his unit. By his gallant and selfless actions, Sgt. Roberts contributed directly to saving the lives of his comrades and served as an inspiration to his fellow soldiers in the defeat of the enemy force. Sgt. Roberts’ extraordinary heroism in action at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.