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Pilgrim Home Cemetery

Born:  June 26, 1945 at Bethesda, MD

Entered Service in the US Army from Detroit, MI

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism January 16 - 18, 1968 at Thong Binh, Vietnam

As part of a larger force of civilian irregulars from Camp Cai Cai, Sergeant Yntema accompanied two platoons to a blocking position where they became heavily engaged in a small-arms fire fight with the Viet Cong. Assuming control of the force when the Vietnamese commander was wounded, he advanced within 50 meters of the enemy bunkers. After a 30 minute fire fight the enemy forced him to withdraw his men. Under cover of machinegun fire, one company of Viet Cong maneuvered into a position which pinned down the friendly platoons from three sides, inflicting heavy losses on the exposed friendly troops. Seriously wounded and ordered to withdraw himself, Sergeant Yntema refused to leave his fallen comrades. Under small arms and machinegun fire, he carried the wounded Vietnamese commander and a mortally wounded American Special Forces advisor to a small gully 50 meters away to shield them from the enemy fire. He then continued to repulse the enemy until, out of ammunition and surrounded, he was offered the opportunity to surrender. Refusing, he stood his ground, using his rifle as a club to fight 15 Viet Cong attempting his capture. His resistance was so fierce they were forced to shoot in order to overcome him.