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Drew D. Dix U.S. Army Special Forces
Vietnam |
Congressional Medal of Honor
Rank and Organization:
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, U.S. Senior Advisor Group, IV Corps, Military
Assistance Command.
Place and Date:
Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam, 31 January and 1 February 1968
Entered Service at:
Denver Colo.
Born:
14 December 1944 West Point, N.Y.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Dix distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while
serving as a unit advisor. Two heavily armed Viet Cong battalions attacked the Province
capital city of Chau Phu resulting in the complete breakdown and fragmentation of the
defenses of the city. S/Sgt. Dix, with a patrol of Vietnamese soldiers, was recalled to
assist in the defense of Chau Phu. Learning that a nurse was trapped in a house near the
center of the city, S/Sgt. Dix organized a relief force, successfully rescued the nurse,
and returned her to the safety of the Tactical Operations Center. Being informed of other
trapped civilians within the city, S/Sgt. Dix voluntarily led another force to rescue 8
civilian employees located in a building which was under heavy mortar and small-arms fire.
S/Sgt. Dix then returned to the center of the city. Upon approaching a building, he was
subjected to intense automatic rifle and machinegun fire from an unknown number of Viet
Cong. He personally assaulted the building, killing 6 Viet Cong and rescuing 2 Filipinos.
The following day S/SGT. Dix, still on his own volition, assembled a 20-man force and
though under intense enemy fire cleared the Viet Cong out of the hotel, theater, and other
adjacent buildings within the city. During this portion of the attack, Army Republic of
Vietnam soldiers inspired by the heroism and success of S/Sgt. Dix, rallied and commenced
firing upon the Viet Cong. S/Sgt. Dix captured 20 prisoners, including a high ranking Viet
Cong official. He then attacked enemy troops who had entered the residence of the Deputy
Province Chief and was successful in rescuing the official's wife and children. S/Sgt.
Dix's personal heroic actions resulted in 14 confirmed Viet Cong killed in action and
possibly 25 more, the capture of 20 prisoners, 15 weapons, and the rescue of the 14 United
States and free world civilians. The heroism of S/Sgt. Dix was in the highest tradition
and reflects great credit upon the U.S. Army.
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