Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans: Vietnam War hero Sergeant Jesus S. Duran
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| Specialist Four Jesus S. Duran |
Specialist Four Jesus S. Duran
will receive the Medal of Honor
posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as an acting M-60
machinegunner in Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry
Division (Airmobile) during combat operations against an armed enemy in
the Republic of Vietnam on April 10, 1969.
Jesus S. Duran was born, July 26, 1948, in Juarez, Mexico.
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of
Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure
in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth
Class Jesus S. Duran, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in
connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed
hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company E,
2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist
Four Duran distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10
April 1969 as a machine gunner on a search and clear operation. The
reconnaissance platoon was moving into an elaborate enemy bunker complex
when the lead elements began taking concentrated ambush fire from every
side. With M-60 machine gun blazing from his hip, Specialist Duran
rushed forward and assumed a defensive position near the command post.
As the hostile forces stormed the post, he stood tall in a cloud of dust
being raised by impacting rounds and bursting grenades aimed at him and
thwarted the chargers with devastating streams of machinegun fire
Learning that two seriously wounded troopers lay helplessly pinned down
under harassing fire, he assaulted the suppressive enemy positions,
firing deadly bursts on the run. Mounting a log, he fired directly into
the enemy’s foxholes and eliminated four of them and several others as
they fled. He then continued to pour effective fire on the disorganized
and fleeing enemy. Specialist Four Duran’s extraordinary heroism and
devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
In
addition to the Medal of Honor, Duran received the Distinguished
Service Cross (this award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor on Mar. 18), Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National
Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service
Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with
Auto Rifle and machine-gun Bars, Marksman Marksmanship Badge with Rifle
Bar, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, Republic of Vietnam
Gallantry Cross Unit Citations with Palm Device.
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