- SURNAME
Walther
- FORENAME
Udo H.
- UNIT
6 SF Group (Company D)
- RANK
Captain
- 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 the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Udo H. Walther, United States Army, for gallantry in action as Commander of the Support Group of an all-volunteer joint United States Army and Air Force raiding force, on 21 November 1970, and displayed outstanding leadership, personal courage, and presence of mind while leading his group in a heliborne assault mission to rescue and extract United States military personnel held prisoners of war at Son Tay prison, deep inside the sovereign territory of 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. Upon reaching his first objective, Captain Walther realized his force had been landed in an area other than, but resembling, the target area. At this time the force was engaged by an enemy force armed with AK-47 rifles. Captain Walther unhesitatingly led his element into the compound, subduing this force with devastating and accurate fire. Upon being recalled to the landing zone, Captain Walther directed and participated in an orderly withdrawal under fire. His heroic actions and his disregard for his own personal safety were an inspiration to his men and officers. He completed an orderly extraction and was inserted into the target landing zone as originally planned. His masterful control of the Support Group was exemplary. His keen mind and his alertness to the changing situation allowed him to enter the target area and link up with and pass through the group which had earlier taken over his assigned area. His fearless conduct, his efficient and accurate executions of combat tasks, and his calm manner of performance under fire during the critical extraction phase reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24836
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