Medal of Honor: Kenneth E. Stumpf - Vietnam War - April 25, 1967

Name: Kenneth E. Stumpf
Rank: Staff Sergeant (then Specialist Fourth Class)
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: April 25, 1967
Location: Near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 25 April 1967, Staff Sergeant Kenneth E. Stumpf distinguished himself during a search-and-destroy mission near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam.

Serving as a squad leader in the 3d Platoon, Company C, he moved with his company toward a village when the unit encountered a North Vietnamese rifle company occupying a fortified bunker complex.

During the opening moments of the battle, three soldiers from his squad were wounded in front of a hostile machine-gun emplacement.

The enemy’s heavy fire pinned the unit down and prevented any rescue attempt.

Without hesitation, Stumpf left the safety of a deep trench and ran through the storm of incoming rounds to reach the wounded men.

He lifted one soldier and carried him back to cover.

Twice more, while enemy automatic weapons and machine guns concentrated on him, he charged forward again and rescued the remaining two wounded soldiers.

With his men recovered, Stumpf reorganized the squad and personally led an assault on the enemy bunkers that continued pouring fire into the platoon.

He and his squad destroyed two bunker positions, but one machine-gun bunker directly ahead still blocked the advance.

Arming himself with extra hand grenades, Stumpf sprinted across open ground through a hail of enemy fire toward the position.

Reaching the bunker, he threw a grenade through the firing aperture.

The enemy immediately threw it back out, forcing him to dive for cover.

Undaunted, he pulled the pins on two more grenades, held them for several seconds, then hurled them into the bunker.

This time the emplacement was destroyed.

With the key strongpoint eliminated, his unit surged forward, assaulted the remaining defenses, and overran the enemy position.

Through relentless courage, aggressive leadership, and complete devotion to the lives of his men, Kenneth E. Stumpf reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

STUMPF, KENNETH E.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Stumpf distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader of the 3d Platoon, Company C, on a search and destroy mission. As S/Sgt. Stumpf’s company approached a village, it encountered a North Vietnamese rifle company occupying a well fortified bunker complex. During the initial contact, 3 men from his squad fell wounded in front of a hostile machinegun emplacement. The enemy’s heavy volume of fire prevented the unit from moving to the aid of the injured men, but S/Sgt. Stumpf left his secure position in a deep trench and ran through the barrage of incoming rounds to reach his wounded comrades. He picked up 1 of the men and carried him back to the safety of the trench. Twice more S/Sgt. Stumpf dashed forward while the enemy turned automatic weapons and machineguns upon him, yet he managed to rescue the remaining 2 wounded squad members. He then organized his squad and led an assault against several enemy bunkers from which continuously heavy fire was being received. He and his squad successfully eliminated 2 of the bunker positions, but one to the front of the advancing platoon remained a serious threat. Arming himself with extra hand grenades, S/Sgt. Stumpf ran over open ground, through a volley of fire directed at him by a determined enemy, toward the machinegun position. As he reached the bunker, he threw a hand grenade through the aperture. It was immediately returned by the occupants, forcing S/Sgt. Stumpf to take cover. Undaunted, he pulled the pins on 2 more grenades, held them for a few seconds after activation, then hurled them into the position, this time successfully destroying the emplacement. With the elimination of this key position, his unit was able to assault and overrun the enemy. S/Sgt. Stumpf’s relentless spirit of aggressiveness, intrepidity, and ultimate concern for the lives of his men, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.