The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*DEVORE, EDWARD A., Jr.
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth
Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place
and date: Near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, 17 March 1968. Entered service at:
Harbor City, Calif. Born: 15 June 1947, Torrance, Calif.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. DeVore, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous
actions on the afternoon of 17 March 1968, while serving as a machine gunner with Company
B, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission approximately 5 kilometers south of Saigon. Sp4c.
DeVore's platoon, the company's lead element, abruptly came under intense fire from
automatic weapons, Claymore mines, rockets and grenades from well-concealed bunkers in a
nipa palm swamp. One man was killed and 3 wounded about 20 meters from the bunker complex.
Sp4c. DeVore raced through a hail of fire to provide a base of fire with his machinegun,
enabling the point element to move the wounded back to friendly lines. After supporting
artillery, gunships and air strikes had been employed on the enemy positions, a squad was
sent forward to retrieve their fallen comrades. Intense enemy frontal and enfilading
automatic weapons fire pinned down this element in the kill zone. With complete disregard
for his personal safety, Sp4c. DeVore assaulted the enemy positions. Hit in the shoulder
and knocked down about 35 meters short of his objectives, Sp4c. DeVore, ignoring his pain
and the warnings of his fellow soldiers, jumped to his feet and continued his assault
under intense hostile fire. Although mortally wounded during this advance, he continued to
place highly accurate suppressive fire upon the entrenched insurgents. By drawing the
enemy fire upon himself, Sp4c. DeVore enabled the trapped squad to rejoin the platoon in
safety. Sp4c. DeVore's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in close combat were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, the 39th Infantry, and the U.S. Army.
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