- SURNAME
Jakovenko
- FORENAME
John
- UNIT
6 SF Group (Company C)
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
North Vietnam 1970 (Son Tay)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
also listed as Vladimir Jakovenko
1961 changed his name to John Jakovenko when he got US Citizenship
1974 changed it back to Vladimir Jakovenko
06.08.2003 inducted Ranger Hall of Fame, Fort Benning, Georgia
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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class John Jakovenko, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms, and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. With contempt for danger, Sergeant Jakovenko exposed himself to enemy fire to place effective machinegun fire on the enemy and neutralize their automatic weapons positions. Sergeant Jakovenko performed in a heroic manner while under hostile fire. He provided covering fire to insure the save withdrawal of other units throughout the raid. Sergeant Jakovenko fought valiantly and fearlessly until the mission was completed. Sergeant Jakovenko's conspicuous disregard for his personal safety, extraordinary heroism against an armed hostile force, and extreme devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24425
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