- SURNAME
Poole
- FORENAME
Paul F.
- UNIT
6 SF Group (Company B)
- RANK
Staff Sergeant
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
North Vietnam 1970 (Son Tay)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Paul F. Poole, 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. Sergeant Poole, the radio operator for the ground force commander, with the mission of maintaining radio communication for the entire force, came under automatic weapons fire while en route from the assault helicopter to his objective. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he exposed himself to enemy fire repeatedly in order that he might establish and maintain an effective command post. Shortly after the main element arrived at the Command Post, he delivered accurate rifle fire to eliminate a threat posed by the intrusion of an armed enemy soldier. Sergeant Poole's courageous performance of duty, 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/24656
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