Name: Maximo Yabes
Rank: First Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Near Phu Hoa Dong, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Eugene, Oregon
Born: 29 January 1932, Lodi, California
Summary of Action
In the early morning hours near Phu Hoa Dong, Company A was providing security for a land-clearing operation when the jungle erupted in fire.
The company was suddenly struck by intense automatic weapons and mortar fire, followed by a battalion-sized assault from three sides. The enemy penetrated the perimeter and advanced directly toward the company command post.
Grenades landed inside the bunker.
First Sergeant Maximo Yabes shouted a warning and threw himself between the explosions and his men — using his own body as a shield. Shrapnel tore into him, but he refused to leave.
Wounded and under relentless fire, he remained in position, delivering covering fire that allowed the command group to relocate.
When they reached a new position, Yabes moved through a withering hail of enemy fire to another bunker 50 meters away. Seizing a grenade launcher from a fallen soldier, he fired point-blank into attacking Viet Cong forces, halting their penetration of the perimeter.
Seeing two wounded men lying helpless in a fire-swept area, he crossed open ground to drag them to safety.
Then he returned to the fight.
As the battle raged, Yabes spotted an enemy machine gun inside the perimeter threatening to overrun the position. Alone, he charged across exposed terrain, assaulted the emplacement, killed the crew, and destroyed the weapon.
He fell mortally wounded beside it.
His fearless and selfless actions saved countless lives and inspired his company to repel the enemy assault. His indomitable spirit and ultimate sacrifice reflect the highest traditions of the United States Army.
Medal of Honor Citation
YABES, MAXIMO
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Phu Hoa Dong, Republic of Vietnam, 26 February 1967.
Entered service at: Eugene, Oreg.
Born: 29 January 1932, Lodi, Calif.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Sgt. Yabes distinguished himself with Company A, which was providing security for a land clearing operation. Early in the morning the company suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and mortar fire followed by a battalion sized assault from 3 sides. Penetrating the defensive perimeter the enemy advanced on the company command post bunker. The command post received increasingly heavy fire and was in danger of being overwhelmed. When several enemy grenades landed within the command post, 1st Sgt. Yabes shouted a warning and used his body as a shield to protect others in the bunker. Although painfully wounded by numerous grenade fragments, and despite the vicious enemy fire on the bunker, he remained there to provide covering fire and enable the others in the command group to relocate. When the command group had reached a new position, 1st Sgt. Yabes moved through a withering hail of enemy fire to another bunker 50 meters away. There he secured a grenade launcher from a fallen comrade and fired point blank into the attacking Viet Cong stopping further penetration of the perimeter. Noting 2 wounded men helpless in the fire swept area, he moved them to a safer position where they could be given medical treatment. He resumed his accurate and effective fire killing several enemy soldiers and forcing others to withdraw from the vicinity of the command post. As the battle continued, he observed an enemy machinegun within the perimeter which threatened the whole position. On his own, he dashed across the exposed area, assaulted the machinegun, killed the crew, destroyed the weapon, and fell mortally wounded. 1st Sgt. Yabes’ valiant and selfless actions saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers and inspired his comrades to effectively repel the enemy assault. His indomitable fighting spirit, extraordinary courage and intrepidity at the cost of his life are in the highest military traditions and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Name: Maximo Yabes
