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
Learn Their Stories
Explore Living Recipients
Jose Rodela
Vietnam War
1969 - Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam
William K. Carpenter
War on Terrorism (Afghanistan)
2010 - Marjah District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Dwight W. Birdwell
Vietnam War
1968 - Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam
William D. Swenson
War on Terrorism (Afghanistan)
2009 - Kunar Province, Afghanistan
Sammy L. Davis
Vietnam War
1967 - Firebase Cudgil, west of Cai Lay, Republic of Vietnam
Clinton L. Romesha
War on Terrorism (Afghanistan)
2009 - Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan