- SURNAME
Siegrist
- FORENAME
William Leroy
- UNIT
5 SF Group (Det A-314)
- RANK
Master Sergeant
- NUMBER
13234222
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1964
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/siegrist-william-leroy.8537/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Master Sergeant William Leroy Siegrist, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, on 30 December 1964. As Detachment Operations Sergeant to a Vietnamese Task Force comprised of three companies, Sergeant Siegrist was the Senior Advisor for a night road clearing operation on a Vietnam National Route. After the Task Force had established a perimeter defense and a forward operational base at Ben Dong So, a Viet Cong force of approximately two battalions launched a violent attack against the friendly position. During the ensuing battle, he bravely placed himself in dangerous positions to advise his Vietnamese counterparts and, when the Vietnamese Commander was killed, Sergeant Siegrist exposed himself to the enemy gunfire to direct the supporting artillery fire by radio. When his fearless actions placed him in the midst of enemy troops which were overrunning the Task Force, he completely disregarded his own safety and called for three hundred rounds of 105-mm. howitzer fire on his position. Throughout the fierce fight, he inspired the defenders by his indomitable courage and continued to engage the Viet Cong until he sustained a mortal wound during hand-to-hand combat. Sergeant Siegrist's conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military services.
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