LONG, DONALD RUSSELL
Rank and Organization
Sergeant, U.S. Army, Troop C, First
Squadron, Fourth Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division
Place and Date
Republic of Vietnam, 30 June 1966
Entered Service at
Ashland, Kentucky
Born
27 August 1939, Blackford, Ohio
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. Troops B and C, while conducting
a Reconnaissance mission along a road were suddenly attacked by a Viet
Cong regiment, supported by mortars, recoilless rifles and machine guns,
from concealed positions astride the road. Sgt. Long abandoned the
relative safety of his armored personnel carrier and braved a withering
hail of enemy fire to carry wounded men to evacuation helicopters.
As the platoon fought its way forward to resupply advanced elements, Sgt.
Long repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire at point blank range to provide
the needed supplies. While assaulting the Viet Cong position, Sgt.
Long inspired his comrades by fearlessly standing unprotected to repel
the enemy with rifle fire and grenades as they attempted to mount his carrier.
When the enemy threatened to overrun a disabled carrier nearby, Sgt. Long
again disregarded his own safety to help the severely wounded crew to safety.
As he was handing arms to the less seriously wounded and reorganizing them
to press the attack, an enemy grenade was hurled onto the carrier deck.
Immediately recognizing the imminent danger, he instinctively shouted a
warning to the crew and pushed to safety 1 man who had not heard his warning
over the roar of battle. Realizing that these actions would not fully
protect the exposed crewmen from the deadly explosion, he threw himself
over the grenade to absorb the blast and thereby saved the lives of 8 of
his comrades at the expense of his life. Throughout the battle, Sgt.
Long's extraordinary heroism, courage and supreme devotion to his men were
in the finest tradition of the military service, and reflect great credit
upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Donald R. Long's actions took place during the summer campaigns of 1966.
This was some of the heaviest fighting
Quarterhorse was to see in Vietnam. In addition, one of the gymnasiums
on Fort Riley, Kansas, was dedicated to Sergeant Long.
Don Long's Brother's and Sister's Accepting his posthumus Medal Of Honor
The QuarterHorse marches on. click here to see their Active Duty WebSite.
Copyright William Van Horn 1997
