Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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Vietnam War - U.S. Army

Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace

Details
  • Rank: Captain
  • Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
  • Unit/Command:
    Military Assistance Advisory Group, Detachment 52, 5th Special Forces Group,
    1st Special Forces
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: October 29, 1963 - September 26, 1965
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam
Citation

Captain Humbert R. Versace distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism during the period of 29 October 1963 to 26 September 1965 while serving as an S-2 Adviser, Military Assistance Advisory Group, Detachment 52, Ca Mau, Republic of Vietnam. While accompanying a Civilian Irregular Defense Group patrol engaged in combat operations in Thoi Binh District, An Xuyen Province, Captain Versace and the patrol came under sudden and intense mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from elements of a heavily armed enemy battalion. As the battle raged, Captain Versace, although severely wounded in the knee and back by hostile fire, fought valiantly and continued to engaged enemy targets. Weakened by his wounds and fatigued by the fierce firefight, Captain Versace stubbornly resisted capture by the over-powering Viet Cong force with the last full measure of his strength and ammunition. Taken prisoner by the Viet Cong, he exemplified the tenets of the Code of Conduct from the time he entered into Prisoner of War status. Captain Versace assumed command of his fellow American soldiers, scorned the enemy's exhaustive interrogation and indoctrination efforts, and made three unsuccessful attempts to escape, despite his weakened condition which was brought about by his wounds and the extreme privation and hardships he was forced to endure. During his captivity, Captain Versace was segregated in an isolated prisoner of war cage, manacled in irons for prolonged periods of time, and placed on extremely reduced ration. The enemy was unable to break his indomitable will, his faith in God, and his trust in the United States of America. Captain Versace, an American fighting man who epitomized the principles of his country and the Code of Conduct, was executed by the Viet Cong on 26 September 1965. Captain Versace's gallant actiona in close contact with an enemy force and unyielding courage and bravery while a prisoner of war are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Recipient Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace
Medal of Honor Recipient Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: July 8, 2002

    The White House, (East Ballroom) presented by President George Walker Bush to his brother Stephen Versace

  • Born: July 2, 1937, Honolulu, Honolulu County
  • Died: September 26, 1965, Republic of Vietnam
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (Marker Only), Arlington, VA, United States
 
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