Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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Vietnam War - U.S. Army

Louis Richard Rocco

Details
  • Rank: Warrant Officer (rank at time of action: Sergeant First Class)
  • Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
  • Unit/Command:
    Advisory Team 162,
    U.S. Military Assistance Command
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: May 24, 1970
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: northeast of Katum, Republic of Vietnam
Citation

WO Rocco distinguished himself when he volunteered to accompany a medical evacuation team on an urgent mission to evacuate eight critically wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam personnel. As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it became the target for intense enemy automatic-weapons fire. Disregarding his own safety, WO Rocco identified and placed accurate suppressive fire on the enemy positions as the aircraft descended toward the landing zone. Sustaining major damage from the enemy fire, the aircraft was forced to crash land, causing WO Rocco to sustain a fractured wrist and hip and severely bruised back. Ignoring his injuries, he extracted the survivors from the burning wreckage, sustaining burns to his own body. Despite intense enemy fire, WO Rocco carried each unconscious man across approximately 20 meters of exposed terrain to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam perimeter. On each trip, his severely burned hands and broken wrist caused excruciating pain, but the lives of the unconscious crash survivors were more important than his personal discomfort, and he continued his rescue efforts. Once inside the friendly position, WO Rocco helped administer first aid to his wounded comrades until his wounds and burns caused him to collapse and lose consciousness. His bravery under fire and intense devotion to duty were directly responsible for saving three of his fellow soldiers from certain death. His unparalleled bravery in the face of enemy fire, his complete disregard for his own pain and injuries, and his performance were far above and beyond the call of duty and were in keeping with the highest traditions of self-sacrifice and courage of the military service.

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO
USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: December 12, 1974

    The White House, presented by Pres. Gerald R. Ford

  • Born: November 19, 1938, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, NM, United States
  • Died: October 31, 2002, San Antonio, TX, United States
  • Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (MH) (AI-549), San Antonio, TX, United States
 

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