- SURNAME
Watkins
- FORENAME
Patrick N.,Jr (Pat)
- UNIT
5 SF Group (HQ and HQ Company) (MACV-SOG-CCN)
- RANK
Staff Sergeant + Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross,Bronze Star with V
- PLACE
Laos 1968
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Sullivan,Indiana
born Utah
USMC 1957
US Army 1964/65
MACV-SOG 1967
WIA 23.8.1968 Laos
awards D.S.C. (awarded 2014),Bronze Star with V with 2 oak leaf clusters,Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster,Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters,Army Commendation Medal with V with oak leaf cluster
3rd Bronze Star with V for Laos 1968 was awarded in 2001
instructor of ROTC candidates,University of Utah
retired from Army 1980 as Master Sgt
technical writer,Hercules Co
safety manager,Department of Veterans Affairs,Salt Lake City,Utah
retired 2001
married Carol
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Patrick N. Watkins, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Command and Control North, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Staff Sergeant Watkins distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions in the early morning hours of 23 August 1968, while at Headquarters, Command and Control North when the compound was attacked by a North Vietnamese Army sapper force in a well-coordinated assault. Despite being wounded in the initial assault, Staff Sergeant Watkins quickly organized a small reaction force to repel the attack and rescue wounded Americans while leading them to a defensive position through a gauntlet of machine gun fire and grenades. Staff Sergeant Watkins disregarded his own safety to direct the recovery of the many wounded men and repeatedly engaged and killed enemy sappers. Despite receiving several more wounds from grenade shrapnel, Staff Sergeant Watkins repeatedly repelled numerous sappers as he continued the search for the wounded. He refused medical aid and on one occasion fiercely charged an onrushing North Vietnamese Army sniper, killing him and preventing the sniper's continuing infliction of numerous friendly casualties. His actions inspired his men to greater heights to defeat the enemy and successfully defend the compound. Staff Sergeant Watkins' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty 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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