Medal of Honor: Joseph R. Kerrey – U.S. Navy – Vietnam War

Name: Joseph R. Kerrey
Rank: Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Branch: U.S. Navy
Unit: Sea, Air, and Land Team (SEAL)
Place: Near Nha Trang Bay, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Omaha, Nebraska
Born: 27 August 1943, Lincoln, Nebraska

Summary of Action

Acting on intelligence locating key Viet Cong leadership, Lt. (j.g.) Joseph R. Kerrey led his SEAL team on a daring nighttime mission to an island in Nha Trang Bay.

To achieve surprise, he led his men up a 350-foot sheer cliff, positioning them above the enemy encampment. Dividing his force into two elements, he coordinated their movement and began a hazardous descent toward the target.

As they neared the camp, the team was met with intense enemy fire. A grenade exploded at Kerrey’s feet, inflicting massive wounds and throwing him backward onto jagged rocks.

Severely injured, bleeding heavily, and in extreme pain, Kerrey refused to yield control. From his position, he immediately directed his men’s fire into the heart of the enemy camp. Using his radioman, he coordinated supporting fire from the second element, trapping the Viet Cong in a devastating crossfire.

Despite being immobilized, he maintained calm and precise command, directing his team to secure and defend an extraction zone. Even as he drifted in and out of consciousness, he continued to issue orders until evacuation was possible.

The mission inflicted significant damage on the enemy and resulted in the capture of personnel who provided critical intelligence.

Medal of Honor Citation

KERREY, JOSEPH R.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a SEAL team leader during action against enemy aggressor (Viet Cong) forces. Acting in response to reliable intelligence, Lt. (j.g.) Kerrey led his SEAL team on a mission to capture important members of the enemy's area political cadre known to be located on an island in the bay of Nha Trang. In order to surprise the enemy, he and his team scaled a 350-foot sheer cliff to place themselves above the ledge on which the enemy was located. Splitting his team in two elements and coordinating both, Lt. (j.g.) Kerrey led his men in the treacherous downward descent to the enemy's camp. Just as they neared the end of their descent, intense enemy fire was directed at them, and Lt. (j.g.) Kerrey received massive injuries from a grenade which exploded at his feet and threw him backward on the jagged rocks. Although bleeding profusely and suffering great pain, he displayed outstanding courage and presence of mind in immediately directing his element's fire into the heart of the enemy camp. Utilizing his radioman, Lt. (j.g.) Kerrey called in a second element's fire support which caught the confused Viet Cong in a devastating crossfire. After successfully suppressing the enemy's fire, and although immobilized by his multiple wounds, he continued to maintain calm, superlative control as he ordered his team to secure and defend an extraction site. Lt. (j.g.) Kerrey resolutely directed his men, despite his near-unconscious state, until he was eventually evacuated by helicopter. The havoc brought to the enemy by this very successful mission cannot be over-estimated. The enemy soldiers who were captured provided critical intelligence to the allied effort. Lt. (j.g.) Kerrey's courageous and inspiring leadership, valiant fighting spirit, and tenacious devotion to duty in the face of almost overwhelming opposition sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.