Harold Dale Meyerkord

Harold Dale Meyerkord (1937–1965) was a United States Navy officer who received a posthumous Navy Cross for his actions during a battle in which he was killed during the Vietnam War

Meyerkord was born on 9 October 1937 at St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island, on 14 June 1960 and was assigned to heavy cruiser USS Los Angeles (CA-135).

Meyerkord reported to the U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) in South Vietnam on 13 July 1964. He was senior naval adviser to the South Vietnamese 23rd River Assault Group, responsible for suppressing Vietcong operations in South Vietnam’s “rice bowl” during the Vietnam War. The group probed the Mekong Delta waterways, engaging Vietcong guerrillas in operations in which Lieutenant Meyerkord distinguished himself for coolness, resourcefulness, and concern for his men.

While leading his assault group into Vietcong‑held territory on 16 March 1965, Lieutenant Meyerkord’s patrol was ambushed. Though wounded, he steadfastly returned the enemy’s fire until hit again, this time mortally.

Lieutenant Meyerkord’s heroism was recognized by posthumous award of the Navy Cross. He was also awarded the Air Medal for completing 20 low-level aerial reconnaissance missions under enemy fire.

Commemoration

The U.S. Navy frigate USS Meyerkord (FF-1058), in commission from 1969 to 1991, was named for Harold Meyerkord.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.