Medal of Honor: Leslie Allen Bellrichard – Vietnam War – May 20, 1967

Name: Leslie Allen Bellrichard
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry
Date of Action: May 20, 1967
Location: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 20 May 1967, Private First Class Leslie Allen Bellrichard displayed extraordinary heroism while defending his company’s perimeter in Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam.

Serving as an acting fire team leader with Company C, Bellrichard occupied a foxhole alongside four fellow soldiers when enemy forces launched a major nighttime assault against the American position.

The attack began with a devastating thirty-minute mortar barrage that shook the perimeter and tore into the defensive lines.

As the bombardment lifted, North Vietnamese soldiers charged the position in a determined ground assault.

Bellrichard immediately rose from the foxhole and hurled hand grenades directly into the advancing enemy troops.

His accurate fire killed several attackers and forced the rest to fall back.

Moments later, the enemy renewed the assault.

Another intense barrage of mortars and rockets slammed into the perimeter before enemy soldiers once again charged the American defenses in an effort to overrun the position.

Bellrichard again fought back with grenades against the onrushing attackers.

As he prepared to throw another grenade, an enemy mortar round exploded directly in front of the foxhole.

The blast knocked Bellrichard backward and caused him to lose his grip on the armed grenade.

Instantly recognizing the danger to the four men crowded beside him, Bellrichard reacted without hesitation.

He threw himself onto the grenade, shielding his comrades from the deadly explosion with his own body.

The blast severely wounded him.

Despite his terrible injuries, Bellrichard struggled upright inside the foxhole and continued firing his rifle at the attacking enemy until he finally succumbed to his wounds.

His sacrifice saved the lives of the soldiers beside him and helped the company successfully defend its position against the enemy assault.

Medal of Honor Citation

BELLRICHARD, LESLIE ALLEN

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Acting as a fire team leader with Company C, during combat operations Pfc. Bellrichard was with 4 fellow soldiers in a foxhole on their unit’s perimeter when the position came under a massive enemy attack. Following a 30-minute mortar barrage, the enemy launched a strong ground assault. Pfc. Bellrichard rose in face of a group of charging enemy soldiers and threw hand grenades into their midst, eliminating several of the foe and forcing the remainder to withdraw. Failing in their initial attack, the enemy repeated the mortar and rocket bombardment of the friendly perimeter, then once again charged against the defenders in a concerted effort to overrun the position. Pfc. Bellrichard resumed throwing hand grenades at the onrushing attackers. As he was about to hurl a grenade, a mortar round exploded just in front of his position, knocking him into the foxhole and causing him to lose his grip on the already armed grenade. Recovering instantly, Pfc. Bellrichard recognized the threat to the lives of his 4 comrades and threw himself upon the grenade, shielding his companions from the blast that followed. Although severely wounded, Pfc. Bellrichard struggled into an upright position in the foxhole and fired his rifle at the enemy until he succumbed to his wounds. His selfless heroism contributed greatly to the successful defense of the position, and he was directly responsible for saving the lives of several of his comrades. His acts are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.