Nguyen Van Kiet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nguyen Van Kiet | |
|---|---|
| Born Vietnam | |
  Lieutenant (j.g.) Thomas R. Norris and Petty Officer Third Class Nguyen Van Kiet |
|
| Place of birth | Vietnam |
| Allegiance | Republic of Vietnam |
| Service/branch | Republic of Vietnam Navy |
| Rank | Petty Officer Third Class |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |  Navy Cross |
Nguyen Van Kiet was a Petty Officer Third Class in the Republic of Vietnam Navy and is one of only two South Vietnamese, and the only South Vietnamese Navy member, to receive the Navy Cross for actions during the Vietnam War (the other being Tran Van Bay).
A book was written about Nguyen's heroism by William Charles Anderson and was later adapted in a movie named Bat*21 is a 1988 movie
[edit] Navy Cross citation
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to
NGUYEN VAN KIET, PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS
NAVY OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Citation:
| “ | For extraordinary heroism while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 April 1972, Petty Officer Kiet participated in an unprecedented recovery operation for a downed United States aviator behind enemy lines in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. He courageously volunteered to accompany a United States SEAL Advisor in an extremely hazardous attempt to reach the aviator, who was physically unable to move toward friendly positions. Using a sampan and traveling throughout the night, they silently made their way deep into enemy territory, past numerous major enemy positions, locating the pilot at dawn. Once, after being spotted by a North Vietnamese patrol, he calmly continued to keep the enemy confused as the small party successfully evaded the patrol. Later, they were suddenly taken under heavy machine gun fire. Thinking first of the pilot, he quickly pulled the sampan to safety behind a bank and camouflaged it while air strikes were called on the enemy position. Due to Petty Officer Kiet's coolness under extremely dangerous conditions and his outstanding courage and professionalism, an American aviator was recovered after an eleven-day ordeal behind enemy lines. His self-discipline, personal courage, and dynamic fighting spirit were an inspiration to all; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Naval Service. | ” |
[edit] See also
- Nguyen Quy An - Major in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force and a recipient of the United States Distinguished Flying Cross.
- Tran Van Bay, Army of the Republic of Vietnam - Private First Class Tran was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism after he sacrificed his life to save a U.S. Marine on February 19, 1967.[1]
- Studies and Observations Group
