
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
SASSER, CLARENCE EUGENE
Rank and organization: Specialist Fifth
Class (then Pfc.), U.S. Army, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th
Infantry Division. Place and date: Ding Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 10
January 1968. Entered service at: Houston, Tex. Born: 12 September 1947,
Chenango, Tex.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. Sp5c. Sasser distinguished himself while assigned to Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. He was serving as a medical aidman with Company A,
3d Battalion, on a reconnaissance in force operation. His company was making an air
assault when suddenly it was taken under heavy small arms, recoilless rifle, machinegun
and rocket fire from well fortified enemy positions on 3 sides of the landing zone. During
the first few minutes, over 30 casualties were sustained. Without hesitation, Sp5c. Sasser
ran across an open rice paddy through a hail of fire to assist the wounded. After helping
1 man to safety, was painfully wounded in the left shoulder by fragments of an exploding
rocket. Refusing medical attention, he ran through a barrage of rocket and automatic
weapons fire to aid casualties of the initial attack and, after giving them urgently
needed treatment, continued to search for other wounded. Despite 2 additional wounds
immobilizing his legs, he dragged himself through the mud toward another soldier 100
meters away. Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser reached
the man, treated him, and proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200
meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for 5 hours until they were
evacuated. Sp5c. Sasser's extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions
of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S.
Army.
|