Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Vietnam War - U.S. Army
George Charles Lang
- Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
- Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
- Unit/Command:
3d Squad, 3d Platoon, Company A, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry,
9th Infantry Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: February 22, 1969
- Medal of Honor Action Place: near Ben Tre City, Kien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Lang, Company A, was serving as a squad leader when his unit, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission, encountered intense fire from a well-fortifed enemy bunker complex. Sp4c. Lang observed an emplacement from which heavy fire was coming. Unhesitatingly, he assaulted the position and destroyed it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Observing another emplacement approximately 15 meters to his front, Sp4c. Lang jumped across a canal, moved through heavy enemy fire to within a few feet of the position, and eliminated it, again using hand grenades and rifle fire. Nearby, he discovered a large cache of enemy ammunition. As he maneuvered his squad forward to secure the cache, they came under fire from yet a third bunker. Sp4c. Lang immediately reacted, assaulted this position, and destroyed it with the remainder of his grenades. After returning to the area of the arms cache, his squad again came under heavy enemy rocket and automatic-weapons fire from three sides and suffered six casualties. Sp4c. Lang was one of those seriously wounded. Although immobilized and in great pain, he continued to direct his men until his evacuation was ordered over his protests. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness exhibited by this soldier over an extended period of time were an inspiration to his comrades and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
- Accredited to: Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: March 2, 1971
The White House (East Ballroom), presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon
- Born: April 20, 1947, Flushing, Queens County, NY, United States
- Died: March 16, 2005, Seaford, NY, United States
- Buried: Holy Rood Cemetery (MH), Westbury, NY, United States