Medal of Honor: Laszlo Rabel – Vietnam War – November 13, 1968

Name: Laszlo Rabel
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Patrol), 173d Airborne Brigade
Place and Date: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam – 13 November 1968
Entered Service At: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Born: September 21, 1939 – Budapest, Hungary
Departed: Killed in Action, November 13, 1968
Accredited to: Minnesota

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Summary of Action

In the dense jungle of Binh Dinh Province, Long Range Patrol Team Delta had formed a tight defensive perimeter while silently tracking enemy movement along a jungle trail network. At mid-morning, one of the team members spotted movement — the unmistakable sign that the enemy was near.

As Staff Sergeant Laszlo Rabel and another man prepared to clear the area, a grenade suddenly arced into the center of the team’s small perimeter. There was no time to shout. No time to run. Only time for instinct.

Rabel acted instantly.

With total disregard for his own survival, he threw himself directly onto the grenade, absorbing the full blast with his own body. His sacrifice shielded every other member of Team Delta from certain death or catastrophic injury.

In that single act, Laszlo Rabel proved the depth of his loyalty and the courage that defined the Long Range Patrol soldiers of the 173d Airborne Brigade. His decision saved the lives of his men — the brothers he led, protected, and refused to leave to fate.

He died as he lived: putting his team first.

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Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Patrol), 173d Airborne Brigade.

Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Rabel distinguished himself while serving as leader of Team Delta, 74th Infantry Detachment. At 1000 hours on this date, Team Delta was in a defensive perimeter conducting reconnaissance of enemy trail networks when a member of the team detected enemy movement to the front. As S/Sgt. Rabel and a comrade prepared to clear the area, he heard an incoming grenade as it landed in the midst of the team’s perimeter. With complete disregard for his life, S/Sgt. Rabel threw himself on the grenade and, covering it with his body, received the complete impact of the immediate explosion. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, S/Sgt. Rabel averted the loss of life and injury to the other members of Team Delta. By his gallantry at the cost of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, S/Sgt. Rabel has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.