Medal of Honor: Humbert R. Versace, Vietnam War, October 29, 1963 – September 26, 1965

Name: Humbert R. Versace
Rank: Captain
War: Vietnam War
Date of Action: October 29, 1963 – September 26, 1965
Unit: S-2 Advisor, MAAG, Detachment 52, Ca Mau, Republic of Vietnam
Accredited to: Virginia

Summary of Action
During a patrol in An Xuyen Province, Captain Versace’s unit was ambushed by a heavily armed Viet Cong force. Though grievously wounded in the knee and back, he continued fighting until his ammunition was gone and he was overpowered. As a prisoner of war, Versace’s defiance became legendary. Despite being wounded, starved, shackled, and kept in isolation, he resisted every interrogation and indoctrination attempt. He openly mocked his captors, sang songs of defiance, led fellow prisoners in resistance, and made three escape attempts despite his deteriorating condition. For nearly two years he endured brutal treatment without compromise. On September 26, 1965, still unbroken, Captain Versace was executed by the Viet Cong. His sacrifice remains one of the most remarkable examples of steadfast courage, faith, and loyalty to country.

Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Captain Humbert R. Versace distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the period of 29 October 1963 to 26 September 1965, while serving as S-2 Advisor, Military Assistance Advisory Group, Detachment 52, Ca Mau, Republic of Vietnam. While accompanying a Civilian Irregular Defense Group patrol engaged in combat operations in Thoi Binh District, An Xuyen Province, Captain Versace and the patrol came under sudden and intense mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from elements of a heavily armed enemy battalion. As the battle raged, Captain Versace, although severely wounded in the knee and back by hostile fire, fought valiantly and continued to engage enemy targets. Weakened by his wounds and fatigued by the fierce firefight, Captain Versace stubbornly resisted capture by the over-powering Viet Cong force with the last full measure of his strength and ammunition. Taken prisoner by the Viet Cong, he exemplified the tenets of the Code of Conduct from the time he entered into Prisoner of War status. Captain Versace assumed command of his fellow American soldiers, scorned the enemy’s exhaustive interrogation and indoctrination efforts, and made three unsuccessful attempts to escape, despite his weakened condition which was brought about by his wounds and the extreme privation and hardships he was forced to endure. During his captivity, Captain Versace was segregated in an isolated prisoner of war cage, manacled in irons for prolonged periods of time, and placed on extremely reduced ration. The enemy was unable to break his indomitable will, his faith in God, and his trust in the United States of America. Captain Versace, an American fighting man who epitomized the principles of his country and the Code of Conduct, was executed by the Viet Cong on 26 September 1965. Captain Versace’s gallant actions in close contact with an enemy force and unyielding courage and bravery while a prisoner of war are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the United States Army.