Roger Donlon

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Roger Hugh C. Donlon (born on January 30, 1934 in Saugerties, New York) is a retired United States Army officer who was the first man to receive the Medal Of Honor in Vietnam, as well as the first member of the Special Forces so honored.

Donlon is the seventh child of eight. He attended the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University for a year. He joined the United States Air Force in 1953 and was admitted to West Point in 1955, but later resigned for personal reasons. He re-enlisted in the United States Army in 1958. He went to Officer Candidate School and later served as a General's aide. In August, 1963 he joined the Special Forces.

In May, 1964 Donlon's team was sent to Vietnam where they established an outpost at Nam Dong, about 15 miles from the border with Laos. Early in the morning of July 6, 1964, the base was attacked by a large force of Vietcong. Under Captain Donlon's leadership, the two-battalion attack was repulsed. Captain Donlon was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Donlon later retired at the rank of Colonel.

Donlon has written two books about his Vietnam experiences, "Outpost of Freedom" and "Beyond Nam Dong". He currently lives in Kansas with his wife Norma and children.