BUKER, BRIAN L.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Detachment B-55, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces

Place: Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam

Date: 5 April 1970

Entered service at: Bangor, Maine

Born: 3 November 1949, Benton, Maine

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Sgt. Buker, Detachment B-55, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon adviser of a Vietnamese mobile strike force company during an offensive mission. Sgt. Buker personally led the platoon, cleared a strategically located well-guarded pass, and established the first foothold at the top of what had been an impenetrable mountain fortress. When the platoon came under the intense fire from a determined enemy located in 2 heavily fortified bunkers, and realizing that withdrawal would result in heavy casualties, Sgt. Buker unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, charged through the hail of enemy fire and destroyed the first bunker with hand grenades. While reorganizing his men for the second attack on the bunker. Sgt. Buker was seriously wounded. Despite his wounds and the deadly enemy fire, he crawled forward and destroyed the second bunker. Sgt. Buker refused medical attention and was reorganizing his men to continue the attack when he was mortally wounded. As a direct result of his heroic actions, many casualties were averted and the assault on the enemy position was successful. Sgt Buker's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit and the U.S. Army.

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--- General / Personal ---

Last name: BUKER

First name: BRIAN LEROY

Home of Record (official): ALBION

State (official): ME

Date of Birth: Thursday, November 3, 1949

Sex: Male

Race: Caucasian

Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Army

Rank: SGT

Serial Number: 005485496

Component: Regular

Pay grade: E5

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 05B4P

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Thursday, November 6, 1969

Date of Casualty: Sunday, April 5, 1970

Age at time of loss: 20

Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died

Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)

Country: South VietNam

Province: Unknown/Not Reported

The Wall: Panel 12W - Row 096

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