Medal of Honor: Ruppert L. Sargent – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Ruppert L. Sargent
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Richmond, Virginia
Born: 6 January 1938, Hampton, Virginia

Summary of Action

While leading a platoon on a mission to investigate a suspected Viet Cong meeting house and weapons cache, 1st Lt. Ruppert L. Sargent identified a tunnel entrance that had been carefully booby trapped.

Initial attempts to destroy the trap with grenades failed. Determined to eliminate the threat, he and his demolition man moved forward to neutralize it, flushing an enemy soldier from the tunnel, who was immediately killed.

Sargent then advanced with his platoon sergeant and a forward observer toward the entrance.

Suddenly, another Viet Cong soldier emerged and hurled two grenades directly into their midst.

In a split second, Sargent fired three shots at the attacker—then turned toward the grenades.

Without hesitation, and fully aware of the consequences, he threw himself over both explosives.

The grenades detonated beneath him.

He was mortally wounded, but his action absorbed the full blast, saving the lives of the platoon sergeant, the forward observer, and other nearby soldiers.

Medal of Honor Citation

SARGENT, RUPPERT L.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a platoon of Company B, 1st Lt. Sargent was investigating a reported Viet Cong meeting house and weapons cache. A tunnel entrance which 1st Lt. Sargent observed was booby trapped. He tried to destroy the booby trap and blow the cover from the tunnel using hand grenades, but this attempt was not successful. He and his demolition man moved in to destroy the booby trap and cover which flushed a Viet Cong soldier from the tunnel, who was immediately killed by the nearby platoon sergeant. 1st Lt. Sargent, the platoon sergeant, and a forward observer moved toward the tunnel entrance. As they approached, another Viet Cong emerged and threw 2 hand grenades that landed in the midst of the group. 1st Lt. Sargent fired 3 shots at the enemy then turned and unhesitatingly threw himself over the 2 grenades. He was mortally wounded, and his 2 companions were lightly wounded when the grenades exploded. By his courageous and selfless act of exceptional heroism, he saved the lives of the platoon sergeant and forward observer and prevented the injury or death of several other nearby comrades. 1st Lt. Sargent’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.