Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans: Vietnam War hero Staff Sergeant Felix M. Conde-Falcon
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| Staff Sgt. Felix M. Conde-Falcon |
Staff Sgt. Felix M. Conde-Falcon will receive the Medal
of Honor posthumously for his courageous actions while serving as an
acting Platoon Leader in Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry
Regiment, 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division during combat operations
against an armed enemy in Ap Tan Hoa, Republic of Vietnam on April 4,
1969.
Felix M. Conde-Falcon was born in Juncos, Puerto Rico, Feb. 24, 1938, and raised in Chicago, Ill.
He volunteered to join the U.S. Army in April 1963.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations
involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of
Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry,
3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division:
Conde-Falcon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous
actions, April 4, 1969, while serving as platoon leader during a sweep
operation in the vicinity of Ap Tan Hoa, Vietnam. Entering a heavily
wooded section on the route of advance, the company encountered an
extensive enemy bunker complex, later identified as a battalion command
post. Following tactical artillery and air strikes on the heavily
secured communist position, the platoon of Conde-Falcon was selected to
assault and clear the bunker fortifications. Moving out ahead of his
platoon, he charged the first bunker, heaving grenades as he went. As
the hostile fire increased, he crawled to the blind side of an
entrenchment position, jumped to the roof, and tossed a lethal grenade
into the bunker aperture. Without hesitating, he proceeded to two
additional bunkers, both of which he destroyed in the same manner as the
first. Rejoined with his platoon, he advanced about one hundred meters
through the trees, only to come under intense hostile fire. Selecting
three men to accompany him, he maneuvered toward the enemy’s flank
position. Carrying a machine-gun, he single-handedly assaulted the
nearest fortification, killing the enemy inside before running out of
ammunition. After returning to the three men with his empty weapon and
taking up an M-16 rifle, he concentrated on the next bunker. Within ten
meters of his goal, he was shot by an unseen assailant and soon died of
his wounds.
His great courage, his ability to act appropriately and decisively
in accomplishing his mission, his dedication to the welfare of his men
mark him as an outstanding leader Conde-Falcon’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, Conde-Falcon received the Distinguished
Service Cross (this award will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor on Mar. 18), Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster,
Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars,
Combat Infantryman Badge, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with Auto
Rifle Bar, Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, Marksman Badge with
Pistol Bar, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Republic of Vietnam
Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device, Republic of Vietnam
Campaign Medal with “60” Device, Republic of Vietnam Merit Medal,
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device,
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation, First Class
with Oak Leaf Cluster.
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