Medal of Honor: Phill G. McDonald - Vietnam War - June 7, 1968

Name: Phill G. McDonald
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 7, 1968
Location: Near Kontum City, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 7 June 1968, while serving as a team leader with the 1st Platoon of Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Private First Class Phill G. McDonald displayed extraordinary courage during a fierce engagement near Kontum City.

While conducting a combat mission, his platoon was suddenly caught in a devastating barrage of automatic weapons fire from a well-concealed enemy force estimated to be company strength. The volume and accuracy of the fire pinned the Americans in exposed positions and inflicted casualties almost immediately.

Without hesitation, McDonald volunteered to escort two wounded comrades to an evacuation point.

As he crawled through the deadly fire, he identified an enemy automatic weapon threatening the evacuation route. Closing on the position despite the danger, he hurled a grenade that destroyed the hostile gun and allowed the wounded soldiers to be moved to safety.

After completing the rescue, McDonald returned to the front rather than remain under cover.

Again volunteering for a dangerous assignment, he positioned himself to provide covering fire while the rest of the platoon maneuvered from its exposed location. Recognizing the threat posed by his accurate fire, enemy gunners concentrated their weapons on him, inflicting serious wounds.

Despite the pain and loss of blood, McDonald refused evacuation.

When a machine gunner nearby became wounded, he recovered the abandoned weapon and used it to maintain a steady stream of accurate covering fire, ensuring that the injured soldier could be safely evacuated.

Moments later, additional American troops were pinned down by intense fire from another enemy machine-gun position directly to his front.

Knowing the danger, McDonald crawled toward the emplacement with grenades, determined to silence it and save his fellow soldiers.

He was mortally wounded while carrying out the attack.

Through repeated acts of voluntary heroism, extraordinary determination, and complete disregard for his own safety, Private First Class Phill G. McDonald saved the lives of numerous comrades and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

McDONALD, PHILL G.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Kontum City, Republic of Vietnam, 7 June 1968.

Entered service at: Beckley, W. Va.

Born: 13 September 1941, Avondale, W. Va.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. McDonald distinguished himself while serving as a team leader with the 1st Platoon of Company A. While on a combat mission his platoon came under a heavy barrage of automatic weapons fire from a well-concealed company-size enemy force. Volunteering to escort two wounded comrades to an evacuation point, Pfc. McDonald crawled through intense fire to destroy with a grenade an enemy automatic weapon threatening the safety of the evacuation. Returning to his platoon, he again volunteered to provide covering fire for the maneuver of the platoon from its exposed position. Realizing the threat he posed, enemy gunners concentrated their fire on Pfc. McDonald’s position, seriously wounding him. Despite his painful wounds, Pfc. McDonald recovered the weapon of a wounded machine gunner to provide accurate covering fire for the gunner’s evacuation. When other soldiers were pinned down by a heavy volume of fire from a hostile machine gun to his front, Pfc. McDonald crawled toward the enemy position to destroy it with grenades. He was mortally wounded in this intrepid action. Pfc. McDonald’s gallantry at the risk of his life, which resulted in the saving of the lives of his comrades, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.