US PARAS 2 Kreckel, John William

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John Robertson

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Kreckel​
  • FORENAME
John William​
  • UNIT
506 Infantry Regiment (Airmobile) (Company A,2 Bn)​
  • RANK
Sergeant​
  • NUMBER
392500198​
  • DATE OF DEATH
22nd July 1970​
  • AGE
22​
  • GRAVESITE
Holy Cross Cemetery,Milwaukee,Milwaukee County,Wisconsin​
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Milwaukee,Wisconsin​
born 30.5.1948 Milwaukee,Wisconsin​
single​
entered service 14.5.1969​
award D.S.C.​
promoted Staff Sgt posthumously​
KIA FSB Ripcord,Thua Thien Province,South Vietnam​
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 08W Line 43​
​
 

DATE OF DEATH:

22-Jul-1970

CITATION:

Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant John William Kreckel, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 506th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Sergeant Kreckel distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 July 1970 while serving as a squad leader during an intense enemy attack at Fire Support Base Ripcord. Soon after the enemy initiated their attack on the base, the allies were forced to withdraw from their hilltop location to organize a counter-offensive. As they prepared to assault the enemy, the allied element began receiving intense fire from an enemy machine gun emplacement located on higher terrain. Without hesitation, Sergeant Kreckel ran into the fire-swept area and began administering aid to wounded allied soldiers. He then organized several companions into an assault force and led them up the hill toward the enemy position. As the assault force neared the enemy emplacement, intense fire forced them to take cover. At this time, Sergeant Kreckel observed a companion standing directly in the line of fire of an enemy weapon. Leaving his covered position, the sergeant ran to the soldier and pushed him to safety but was simultaneously killed by the enemy fusillade. Sergeant Kreckel's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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