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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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Vietnam War - U.S. Army

Clarence Eugene Sasser

Details
  • Rank: Private First Class (rank at time of presentation: Specialist Fifth Class; highest rank: Specialist Fifth Class)
  • Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
  • Unit/Command:
    Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry,
    9th Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: January 10, 1968
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Ding Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam
Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp5c. Sasser distinguished himself while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. He was serving as a medical aidman with Company A, 3d Battalion, on a reconnaissance-in-force operation. His company was making an air assault when suddenly it was taken under heavy small-arms, recoilless-rifle, machine-gun, and rocket fire from well-fortified enemy positions on three sides of the landing zone. During the first few minutes, over 30 casualties were sustained. Without hesitation, Sp5c. Sasser ran across an open rice paddy through a hail of fire to assist the wounded. After helping one man to safety, he was painfully wounded in the left shoulder by fragments of an exploding rocket. Refusing medical attention, he ran through a barrage of rocket and automatic-weapons fire to aid casualties of the initial attack and, after giving them urgently needed treatment, continued to search for other wounded. Despite two additional wounds immobilizing his legs, he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier 100 meters away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser reached the man, treated him, and proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for five hours until they were evacuated. Sp5c. Sasser's extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO
USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Houston, Harris County, Texas
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: March 7, 1969

    The White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon

  • Born: September 12, 1947, Chenango, Brazoria County, TX, United States
  • Died: May 13, 2024, Sugar Land, TX
  • Buried: Houston National Cemetery, Houston, TX, US
 
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