Medal of Honor, Paul Ronald Lambers, Vietnam War, August 20, 1968

Name: Paul Ronald Lambers
War: Vietnam War
Date of Action: August 20, 1968

Summary of Action

On the night of August 20, 1968, near Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (“Wolfhounds”), found itself under assault by an estimated Viet Cong battalion. During the furious initial exchange, the platoon leader was struck down, and Sgt. Paul R. Lambers immediately took command.

Amid blistering fire, Lambers sprinted across exposed ground to secure the platoon radio, only for it to be destroyed. Undeterred, he crossed the fire-swept position again to reestablish communications through a recoilless rifle crew’s set. When that weapon failed, he personally helped repair it and then directed devastating canister rounds at point-blank range into the enemy who had breached the defensive wire. Even when the weapon was knocked out, Lambers grabbed grenades and claymores, hurling them into the enemy ranks, killing attackers at close range.

For five hours, he ran from position to position, directing artillery and helicopter gunship fire dangerously close to his own perimeter, while distributing ammunition and dragging the wounded to safety. His calm leadership and personal valor inspired his men to stand firm against overwhelming odds. By dawn, the enemy force lay shattered, their attack broken, their dead covering the wire. Sgt. Lambers’ actions not only saved his platoon but prevented an enemy offensive from reaching Tay Ninh City.

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. (then Sgt.) Lambers distinguished himself in action while serving with the 3d platoon, Company A. The unit had established a night defensive position astride a suspected enemy infiltration route, when it was attacked by an estimated Viet Cong battalion. During the initial enemy onslaught, the platoon leader fell seriously wounded and S/Sgt. Lambers assumed command of the platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, S/Sgt. Lambers left his covered position, secured the platoon radio and moved to the command post to direct the defense. When his radio became inoperative due to enemy action, S/Sgt. Lambers crossed the fire swept position to secure the 90mm recoilless rifle crew’s radio in order to re-establish communications. Upon discovering that the 90mm recoilless rifle was not functioning, S/Sgt. Lambers assisted in the repair of the weapon and directed canister fire at point-blank range against the attacking enemy who had breached the defensive wire of the position. When the weapon was knocked out by enemy fire, he single-handedly repulsed a penetration of the position by detonating claymore mines and throwing grenades into the midst of the attackers, killing 4 more of the Viet Cong with well aimed hand grenades. S/Sgt. Lambers maintained command of the platoon elements by moving from position to position under the hail of enemy fire, providing assistance where the assault was the heaviest and by his outstanding example inspiring his men to the utmost efforts of courage. He displayed great skill and valor throughout the 5-hour battle by personally directing artillery and helicopter fire, placing them at times within 5 meters of the defensive position. He repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire at great risk to his own life in order to redistribute ammunition and to care for seriously wounded comrades and to move them to sheltered positions. S/Sgt. Lambers’ superb leadership, professional skill and magnificent courage saved the lives of his comrades, resulted in the virtual annihilation of a vastly superior enemy force and were largely instrumental in thwarting an enemy offensive against Tay Ninh City. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.