Drew Dennis Dix

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Drew Dennis Dix
Born December 14, 1944 (1944-12-14) (age 63)
Medal of Honor
Place of birth	West Point, New York
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Major
Unit	5th Special Forces Group
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Dix (far right) and three other men shortly after receiving their Medals of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson (center).

Drew Dennis Dix (born December 14, 1944) is a decorated United States military veteran and retired Major (United States) in the United States Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in the Vietnam War while a Staff Sergeant assigned as a military advisor to the ARVN. He was the first enlisted Special Forces soldier to receive the Medal of Honor. Dix received a direct commission to 1st lieutenant and retired after 20 years of service as a Major.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor to

STAFF SERGEANT DREW DENNIS DIX
UNITED STATES ARMY

for service as set forth in the following citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Dix distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while serving as a unit adviser. Two heavily armed Viet Cong battalions attacked the Province capital city of Chau Phu resulting in the complete breakdown and fragmentation of the defenses of the city. S/Sgt. Dix, with a patrol of Vietnamese soldiers, was recalled to assist in the defense of Chau Phu. Learning that a nurse was trapped in a house near the center of the city, S/Sgt. Dix organized a relief force, successfully rescued the nurse, and returned her to the safety of the Tactical Operations Center. Being informed of other trapped civilians within the city, S/Sgt. Dix voluntarily led another force to rescue 8 civilian employees located in a building which was under heavy mortar and small-arms fire. S/Sgt. Dix then returned to the center of the city. Upon approaching a building, he was subjected to intense automatic rifle and machinegun fire from an unknown number of Viet Cong. He personally assaulted the building, killing 6 Viet Cong, and rescuing 2 Filipinos. The following day S/Sgt. Dix, still on his own volition, assembled a 20-man force and though under intense enemy fire cleared the Viet Cong out of the hotel, theater, and other adjacent buildings within the city. During this portion of the attack, Army Republic of Vietnam soldiers inspired by the heroism and success of S/Sgt. Dix, rallied and commenced firing upon the Viet Cong. S/Sgt. Dix captured 20 prisoners, including a high ranking Viet Cong official. He then attacked enemy troops who had entered the residence of the Deputy Province Chief and was successful in rescuing the official's wife and children. S/Sgt. Dix's personal heroic actions resulted in 14 confirmed Viet Cong killed in action and possibly 25 more, the capture of 20 prisoners, 15 weapons, and the rescue of the 14 United States and free world civilians. The heroism of S/Sgt. Dix was in the highest tradition and reflects great credit upon the U.S. Army.