Medal of Honor: Ted Belcher – Vietnam War – November 19, 1966

Name: Ted Belcher
Rank: Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division
Place and Date: Plei Djerang, Republic of Vietnam – 19 November 1966
Entered Service At: Huntington, West Virginia
Born: 21 July 1924 – Accoville, West Virginia

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Summary of Action

In the thick triple-canopy jungle near Plei Djerang, the men of Company C were pushing forward on a search-and-destroy mission alongside Company B, the battalion reconnaissance platoon, and a Special Forces-led CIDG unit. Visibility was nearly zero. The air hung heavy with tension—and then with gunfire.

As Sergeant Ted Belcher led his squad of the 2nd Platoon toward a suspected bunker complex, a storm of sniper and automatic weapon fire erupted from the brush. A recon element nearby was pinned down, and Belcher pushed his squad forward to reinforce them. Every movement through the dense terrain meant exposure; every step forward was under a curtain of hostile fire.

Advancing only a short distance, Belcher and his men were met by a shredding wall of bullets. He steadied his squad, returned fire, and urged them forward. And then—sudden, unmistakable—the metallic clatter of a grenade hitting the jungle floor at their feet.

There was no time to warn, no time to run. Belcher moved instantly. Without hesitation, he lunged forward and threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the blast with his own body. His squad was untouched. Because of him, they lived.

Sergeant Ted Belcher’s split-second sacrifice became one of the most selfless acts recorded by the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. His courage under fire, his devotion to his men, and his willingness to give everything to protect them stand as a timeless example of what heroism truly means.

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Medal of Honor Citation

BELCHER, TED

Distinguishing himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life. Sgt. Belcher’s unit was engaged in a search and destroy mission with Company B, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry, the Battalion Reconnaissance Platoon and a special forces company of civilian irregular defense group personnel. As a squad leader of the 2d Platoon of Company C, Sgt. Belcher was leading his men when they encountered a bunker complex. The reconnaissance platoon, located a few hundred meters northwest of Company C, received a heavy volume of fire from well camouflaged snipers. As the 2d Platoon moved forward to assist the unit under attack, Sgt. Belcher and his squad, advancing only a short distance through the dense jungle terrain, met heavy and accurate automatic weapons and sniper fire. Sgt. Belcher and his squad were momentarily stopped by the deadly volume of enemy fire. He quickly gave the order to return fire and resume the advance toward the enemy. As he moved up with his men, a hand grenade landed in the midst of the sergeant’s squad. Instantly realizing the immediate danger to his men, Sgt. Belcher, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, lunged forward, covering the grenade with his body. Absorbing the grenade blast at the cost of his life, he saved his comrades from becoming casualties. Sgt. Belcher’s profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.