- SURNAME
Machen
- FORENAME
Billy Wayne
- UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 1
- RANK
Radarman Second Class
- NUMBER
5211961
- AWARD
Silver Star (posthumous)
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1966
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DOW - see Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/machen-billy-wayne.147/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Radarman Second Class Billy Wayne Machen (NSN: 5211961), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a point man for Sea, Air, Land Team ONE (SEAL-1), in the Rung Sat Special Zone, Vietnam, on 19 August 1966. Petty Officer Machen led the team through Viet Cong territory in search of two camouflaged sampans reported by friendly elements. Upon reaching a clearing in the dense jungle, he halted the patrol and proceeded into the clearing alone. Spotting an enemy ambush, he chose to expose himself to hostile fire by firing his weapon on the enemy positions rather than to retrace his steps and thereby compromise his team members' position. By this courageous act he enabled his comrades to seek cover, form a hasty defensive perimeter and escape unharmed after suppressing the enemy fire. Petty Officer Machen was fatally wounded by the initial enemy fusillade.
Last edited by a moderator:
