- SURNAME
Worrel
- FORENAME
Thomas Duane
- UNIT
1 Recon Bn (A Company) (1 MarDiv)
- RANK
Lance Corporal
- NUMBER
2528075
- DATE OF DEATH
23rd April 1970
- AGE
20
- GRAVESITE
Glenwood Cemetery,Roanoke,Huntington County,Indiana
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Roanoke,Indiana
born 12.2.1950 Fort Wayne,Indiana
son of Cliff and Leila Worrel
single
graduated Elmhurst High School,Fort Wayne 1968
1 year service
award Silver Star (posthumous)
KIA Quang Nam Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 11W Line 42
DATE OF DEATH:
23-Apr-1970AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/worrel-thomas-duane.52410/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Thomas D. Worrel (MCSN: 2528075), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Assistant Team Leader with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 23 April 1970, Lance Corporal Worrel was providing rear security for his eight-man long-range reconnaissance team during a patrol in the Que Son Mountains in Quang Nam Province when the point element surprised and killed five North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Moving forward, Lance Corporal Worrel provided cover while the hostile soldiers were searched for items of intelligence value. Shortly thereafter, the Marines resumed their mission and had advanced as far as a tree line when they came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from three sides. Reacting instantly, the patrol deployed to form a defensive perimeter and commenced returning fire at the hostile force. Upon being informed by an aerial observer on station that another North Vietnamese Army force was moving from the north toward the Marines, Lance Corporal Worrel completely disregarded his own safety as he boldly moved across the fire-swept terrain to a position outside the northern sector of his perimeter, and fearlessly remained in his precarious position to deliver such accurate fire that he killed five of the enemy as they charged the Marines' position. On two successive assaults by the determined enemy, he delivered fire with such devastating effectiveness that the attacks were repulsed. When the increased intensity of hostile fire rendered his position untenable and he commenced to maneuver back to his perimeter, he was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy automatic weapons fire. His valiant actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in preventing his patrol from being overrun by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. By his dauntless courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Worrel upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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