Medal of Honor: Louis E. Willett – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Louis E. Willett
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Place: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Brooklyn, New York
Born: 19 June 1945, Brooklyn, New York

Summary of Action

On 15 February 1967, during combat operations in Kontum Province, Private First Class Louis E. Willett was serving as a rifleman with Company C when his squad made contact with a large enemy force during a security sweep. The squad was immediately subjected to an intense barrage of automatic weapons fire and was pinned to the ground.

With complete disregard for his safety, Pfc. Willett rose to his feet in the face of the deadly fusillade and advanced to a position from which he delivered accurate and devastating fire on the enemy. His courageous action enabled the remainder of his squad to begin withdrawing toward the company perimeter.

As he covered their movement, his exposed position drew concentrated machinegun fire and he was struck by multiple wounds. Though gravely injured, he forced himself upright once more and again engaged the enemy, buying critical time for his comrades to evacuate their wounded and continue their withdrawal.

Moving from position to position despite his injuries, he continued fighting at close range until he was mortally wounded. His selfless stand ensured the safe withdrawal of his squad and saved their lives at the cost of his own.

Medal of Honor Citation

WILLETT, LOUIS E.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Willett distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company C, during combat operations. His squad was conducting a security sweep when it made contact with a large enemy force. The squad was immediately engaged with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and pinned to the ground. Despite the deadly fusillade, Pfc. Willett rose to his feet firing rapid bursts from his weapon and moved to a position from which he placed highly effective fire on the enemy. His action allowed the remainder of his squad to begin to withdraw from the superior enemy force toward the company perimeter. Pfc. Willett covered the squad’s withdrawal, but his position drew heavy enemy machinegun fire, and he received multiple wounds enabling the enemy again to pin down the remainder of the squad. Pfc. Willett struggled to an upright position, and, disregarding his painful wounds, he again engaged the enemy with his rifle to allow his squad to continue its movement and to evacuate several of his comrades who were by now wounded. Moving from position to position, he engaged the enemy at close range until he was mortally wounded. By his unselfish acts of bravery, Pfc. Willett insured the withdrawal of his comrades to the company position, saving their lives at the cost of his life. Pfc. Willett’s valorous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.