Medal of Honor: Nicholas J. Cutinha – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Nicholas J. Cutinha
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Near Gia Dinh, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Coral Gables, Florida
Born: 13 January 1945, Fernandina Beach, Florida

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Summary of Action

Near Gia Dinh in March 1968, Company C suddenly came under devastating small-arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a battalion-sized enemy force.

In the opening moments of the attack, communications were severed. The company commander and many key leaders became casualties. The unit was pinned down and disorganized.

Specialist Fourth Class Nicholas J. Cutinha saw the collapse beginning.

With complete disregard for his own safety, he moved forward under intense fire, bringing his machine gun into action against the charging enemy. Drawing fire onto himself, he was seriously wounded in the leg.

The attack intensified. Nearly half the company was killed or wounded.

Despite his injury, Cutinha assumed command of the surviving soldiers in his sector. He organized a withdrawal and provided covering fire to allow the wounded to be evacuated.

His machine gun was destroyed by incoming rounds, and he was wounded again in the leg.

Still he refused to stop.

Crawling through a hail of enemy fire, he reached another operable machine gun and resumed firing to protect the injured men receiving medical treatment behind him.

He refused assistance and maintained his position until he fell mortally wounded.

In the course of the battle, he personally killed fifteen enemy soldiers and saved the lives of at least nine of his comrades.

His gallantry, leadership, and extraordinary heroism reflect the highest traditions of the United States Army.

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Medal of Honor Citation

CUTINHA, NICHOLAS J.

Place and date: Near Gia Dinh, Republic of Vietnam, 2 March 1968.

Born: 13 January 1945, Fernandina Beach, Fla.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While serving as a machine gunner with Company C, Sp4c. Cutinha accompanied his unit on a combat mission near Gia Dinh. Suddenly his company came under small arms, automatic weapons, mortar and rocket propelled grenade fire, from a battalion size enemy unit. During the initial hostile attack, communication with the battalion was lost and the company commander and numerous members of the company became casualties. When Sp4c. Cutinha observed that his company was pinned down and disorganized, he moved to the front with complete disregard for his safety, firing his machine gun at the charging enemy. As he moved forward he drew fire on his own position and was seriously wounded in the leg. As the hostile fire intensified and half of the company was killed or wounded, Sp4c. Cutinha assumed command of all the survivors in his area and initiated a withdrawal while providing covering fire for the evacuation of the wounded. He killed several enemy soldiers but sustained another leg wound when his machine gun was destroyed by incoming rounds. Undaunted, he crawled through a hail of enemy fire to an operable machine gun in order to continue the defense of his injured comrades who were being administered medical treatment. Sp4c. Cutinha maintained this position, refused assistance, and provided defensive fire for his comrades until he fell mortally wounded. He was solely responsible for killing 15 enemy soldiers while saving the lives of at least 9 members of his own unit. Sp4c. Cutinha’s gallantry and extraordinary heroism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.