Then Spec. 5 Dwight W. Birdwell took action as North Vietnamese forces launched the opening assault of what would come to be known as the Tet Offensive, marked by coordinated attacks across Vietnam on U.S. troops, South Vietnamese soldiers and their allies. Birdwell’s unit was called on to repel an attack on a major military installation, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, and was ambushed on the way. Birdwell took charge after his tank commander was gravely wounded, laying down suppressive fire as North Vietnamese soldiers shot at him. Birdwell was hit by shrapnel but kept fighting. Eventually, he was ordered to board a helicopter to evacuate, but he crawled out the opposite side of the aircraft and went back to fighting.

Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice

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Explore Living Recipients

Jay R. Vargas
Vietnam War
1968 - Dai Do, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam

Larry L. Taylor
Vietnam War
1968 - near the village of Ap Go Cong, Bình Dương province, Vietnam

Gordon R. Roberts
Vietnam War
1969 - Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam

John J. Duffy
Vietnam War
1972 - Central Highlands, Vietnam

Allan J. Kellogg Jr.
Vietnam War
1970 - Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam

Donald E. Ballard
Vietnam War
1968 - Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam