Clarence Sasser
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Clarence Eugene Sasser | |
|---|---|
| Born September 12, 1947 | |
  Clarence E. Sasser |
|
| Place of birth | Chenango, Texas |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Rank | Specialist Fifth Class |
| Unit | Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Clarence Eugene Sasser (born September 12, 1947) is an American recipient of the Medal of Honor.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Born in Chenango, Texas Sasser was a combat medic in the United States Army during the Vietnam war. He received the medal from President Richard Nixon in March 1969, for his actions of January 10, 1968 in Ding Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam. A member of the U.S. 9th Infantry Division, he was a Private First Class when he earned the medal, later becoming a Specialist 5th Class.
Drafted into the Army after giving up his college deferment, Sasser's Vietnam tour lasted 51 days. When his military commitment was finished he returned to college as a chemistry student. He then worked at an oil refinery for more than five years before working at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Specialist Fifth Class (then Pfc.), U.S. Army, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Ding Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 10 January 1968. Entered service at: Houston, Tex. Born: 12 September 1947, Chenango, Tex.
Citation:
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp5c. Sasser distinguished himself while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. He was serving as a medical aidman with Company A, 3d Battalion, on a reconnaissance in force operation. His company was making an air assault when suddenly it was taken under heavy small arms, recoilless rifle, machinegun and rocket fire from well fortified enemy positions on 3 sides of the landing zone. During the first few minutes, over 30 casualties were sustained. Without hesitation, Sp5c. Sasser ran across an open rice paddy through a hail of fire to assist the wounded. After helping 1 man to safety, was painfully wounded in the left shoulder by fragments of an exploding rocket. Refusing medical attention, he ran through a barrage of rocket and automatic weapons fire to aid casualties of the initial attack and, after giving them urgently needed treatment, continued to search for other wounded. Despite 2 additional wounds immobilizing his legs, he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier 100 meters away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser reached the man, treated him, and proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for 5 hours until they were evacuated. Sp5c. Sasser's extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- This article contains text in the public domain from the United States Army.
- Clarence Sasser, Medal of Honor recipient. Vietnam War (M-Z) (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
- Clarence Sasser, Medal of Honor recipient. Stories of Valor. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
- Medal Of Honor Citation for Clarence E. Sasser. C. Douglas Sterner. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
- Congressional Medal of Honor:. Clarence Eugene Sasser. African American Involvement in the Vietnam War. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
