Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Battery C, 6th Battalion, 15th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division
Place: Republic of Vietnam
DURHAM, HAROLD BASCOM, JR.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Battery C, 6th Battalion,
15th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division
Place: Republic of Vietnam
Date: 17 October 1967
Entered service at: Atlanta, Georgia
Born: 12 October 1942, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Citation:
2nd Lt. Durham, Artillery, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty
while assigned to Battery C.
2nd Lt. Durham was serving as
a forward observer with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry during a
battalion reconnaissance-in-force mission. At approximately 1015 hours contact
was made with an enemy force concealed in well camouflaged positions and
fortified bunkers. 2nd Lt. Durham immediately moved into an exposed position
to adjust the supporting artillery fire onto the insurgents. During a brief
lull in the battle he administered emergency first aid to the wounded in
spite of heavy enemy sniper fire directed toward him. Moments later, as
enemy units assaulted friendly positions, he learned that Company A, bearing
the brunt of the attack, had lost its forward observer. While he was moving
to replace the wounded observer, the enemy detonated a claymore mine, severely
wounding him in the head and impairing his vision. In spite of the intense
pain, he continued to direct the supporting artillery fire and to employ
his individual weapon in support of the hard pressed infantrymen. As the
enemy pressed their attack, 2nd Lt. Durham called for supporting fire to
be placed almost directly on his position. Twice the insurgents were driven
back, leaving many dead and wounded behind. 2nd Lt. Durham was then taken
to a secondary defensive position. Even in his extremely weakened condition,
he continued to call artillery fire onto the enemy. He refused to seek cover
and instead positioned himself in a small clearing which offered a better
vantage point from which to adjust the fire. Suddenly, he was severely wounded
a second time by enemy machine gun fire. As he lay on the ground near death,
he saw 2 Viet Cong approaching, shooting the defenseless wounded men. With
his last effort, 2nd Lt. Durham shouted a warning to a nearby soldier who
immediately killed the insurgents. 2nd Lt. Durham died moments later, still
grasping the radio handset. 2nd Lt. Durham's gallant actions in close combat
with an enemy force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: DURHAM
First name: HAROLD BASCOM JR
Home of Record (official): TIFTON
State (official): GA
Date of Birth: Monday, October 12, 1942
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: 2LT
Serial Number: O5424449
Component: Reserve
Pay grade: O1
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 1193
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Monday, September 4, 1967
Date of Casualty: Tuesday, October 17, 1967
Age at time of loss: 25
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Binh Long
The Wall: Panel 28E - Row 020
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