- SURNAME
Theriault
- FORENAME
Samuel Silver
- UNIT
5 SF Group (Company A,Det A-344)
- RANK
Master Sergeant
- NUMBER
11252308
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star with V device
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1967
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/theriault-samuel-silver-sam.8846/CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Master Sergeant Samuel Silver Theriault (ASN: RA-11252308), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-344, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Master Sergeant Theriault distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 November 1967 while serving as senior Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese company on a search and destroy operation deep in hostile territory. While moving through dense jungle, his unit was savagely attacked by a large Viet Cong force firing automatic weapons, small arms and machine guns. The initial barrage wounded Sergeant Theriault, but he ignored his injury and moved through a curtain of fire to deploy his men in a hasty defense and direct their fire on the enemy. With his every move drawing intense fire from the Viet Cong, he organized his troops for an assault. He personally led the vicious charge into the point of heaviest fighting and forced the insurgents to pull back under lethal fire. Constantly exposed to enemy weapons, he moved among his men to encourage their aggressive attack on the insurgents. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading their pursuit of the enemy, and his valiant actions inspired his men to overwhelm the Viet Cong. Master Sergeant Theriault's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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