US PARAS 2 Ponting, John Lewis

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Ponting
  • FORENAME
John Lewis
  • UNIT
503 Infantry Regiment (Airborne) (Company B,4 Bn)
  • RANK
Sergeant First Class
  • NUMBER
17396173
  • DATE OF DEATH
22nd November 1967
  • AGE
31
  • GRAVESITE
Memorial Park, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana Section 9 Lot 617
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Emporia, Kansas
born 17.1.1936
son of James Richard (1906-1994) and Thelma Bernice (nee Linscott) Ponting (1908-1996)
married (2 children Toni and Tod)
12 years service
JROTC instructor, high schools, Indianapolis 1965
DOW received at Dak To, Kontum Province, South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C. Panel 30E Line 65
06.11.1967 BSM Hill 823, Dak To
21.11.1967 SSM Hill 875, Dak To
 

DATE OF DEATH:

22-Nov-1967

AWARD:

https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/ponting-john-lewis.49779/

CITATION:

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class John Lewis Ponting (ASN: RA-17396173), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Sergeant First Class Ponting distinguished himself by heroism on 21 November 1967, while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. During the battle for hill 875, Sergeant Ponting was serving as platoon sergeant of the 1st Platoon, Company B, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). While assaulting the hill, Sergeant Ponting’s platoon became pinned down by heavy mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire. Due to its exposed location, an enemy sniper was able to deliver very accurate fire into the platoon command post group, which killed the platoon radio telephone operator. In complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Ponting personally led a fire team around to the flank of his platoon and destroyed the sniper. This action enabled the remainder of the assault element to continue its attack. Soon the whole assault element was pinned down by heavy automatic weapons fire which was inflicting many casualties. As his platoon medic had already been killed, Sergeant Ponting continuously exposed himself to administer aid to his wounded comrades. While performing these duties, Sergeant Ponting was critically wounded by an enemy grenade and evacuated. He later died from his wounds. His valorous actions and untiring efforts undoubtedly prevented his platoon from bogging down in the assault and helped save the lives of many of his fallen comrades. Sergeant Ponting’s extraordinary personal heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-143269/

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60433734/john-lewis-ponting
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