William D. Port

Sergeant (then Private First Class) · U.S. Army

U.S. Army, Company C, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division

12 January 1968 · Que Son Valley, Heip Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam

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Branch: U.S. Army
Era: Vietnam War
Home state: Pennsylvania
Action: Que Son Valley, Heip Duc Province, Republic of Vietnam

The citation

Official citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant. Port distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Company C, which was conducting combat operations against an enemy force in the Que Son Valley. As Sergeant. Port's platoon was moving to cut off a reported movement of enemy soldiers, the platoon came under heavy fire from an entrenched enemy force. The platoon was forced to withdraw due to the intensity and ferocity of the fire. Although wounded in the hand as the withdrawal began, Sergeant. Port, with complete disregard for his safety, ran through the heavy fire to assist a wounded comrade back to the safety of the platoon perimeter. As the enemy forces assaulted in the perimeter, Sergeant. Port and 3 comrades were in position behind an embankment when an enemy grenade landed in their midst. Sergeant. Port, realizing the danger to his fellow soldiers, shouted the warning, "Grenade," and unhesitatingly hurled himself towards the grenade to shield his comrades from the explosion. Through his exemplary courage and devotion he saved the lives of his fellow soldiers and gave the members of his platoon the inspiration needed to hold their position. Sergeant. Port's selfless concern for his comrades, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Sources

U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index
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