Medal of Honor: William D. Port – Vietnam War – Republic of Vietnam – January 1968

Name: William D. Port
Rank: Sergeant (then Private First Class)
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Division
Place: Que Son Valley, Hiep Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Born: Petersburg, Pennsylvania

---

Summary of Action

On 12 January 1968, during combat operations in the Que Son Valley of the Republic of Vietnam, Sergeant William D. Port was serving as a rifleman with Company C, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division. His platoon was maneuvering to intercept a reported enemy movement when it suddenly came under intense fire from a well-entrenched enemy force.

The volume and accuracy of the hostile fire forced the platoon to withdraw. During the withdrawal, Sergeant Port was wounded in the hand. Despite his injury and the continuing barrage, he ran back through the fire-swept area to assist a wounded comrade, carrying him to the safety of the platoon perimeter.

As enemy forces pressed their assault against the perimeter, Sergeant Port and three fellow soldiers took cover behind an embankment. An enemy grenade suddenly landed among them. Instantly recognizing the deadly danger to his comrades, Sergeant Port shouted a warning and without hesitation hurled himself onto the grenade, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his body.

By his supreme self-sacrifice, Sergeant Port saved the lives of the three soldiers beside him and inspired his platoon to hold its position against the enemy attack. His actions stand as a powerful example of courage, devotion, and the willingness to place the lives of others above one’s own.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Port distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Company C, which was conducting combat operations against an enemy force in the Que Son Valley. As Sgt. Port’s platoon was moving to cut off a reported movement of enemy soldiers, the platoon came under heavy fire from an entrenched enemy force. The platoon was forced to withdraw due to the intensity and ferocity of the fire. Although wounded in the hand as the withdrawal began, Sgt. Port, with complete disregard for his safety, ran through the heavy fire to assist a wounded comrade back to the safety of the platoon perimeter.

As the enemy forces assaulted the perimeter, Sgt. Port and three comrades were in position behind an embankment when an enemy grenade landed in their midst. Sgt. Port, realizing the danger to his fellow soldiers, shouted the warning, “Grenade,” and unhesitatingly hurled himself toward the grenade to shield his comrades from the explosion. Through his exemplary courage and devotion he saved the lives of his fellow soldiers and gave the members of his platoon the inspiration needed to hold their position. Sgt. Port’s selfless concern for his comrades, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.