ROCCO, LOUIS R.
Rank and organization: Warrant Officer (then Sergeant First Class), U.S.
Army, Advisory Team 162, U.S. Military Assistance Command.
Place: Northeast of Katum, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 24 May 1970.
Entered service at: Los Angeles, California
Born: 19 November 1938, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
Citation:
Warrant Officer Rocco distinguished himself when he volunteered to accompany
a medical evacuation team on an urgent mission to evacuate 8 critically
wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam personnel. As the helicopter approached
the landing zone, it became the target for intense enemy automatic weapons
fire. Disregarding his own safety, WO Rocco identified and placed accurate
suppressive fire on the enemy positions as the aircraft descended toward
the landing zone. Sustaining major damage from the enemy fire, the aircraft
was forced to crash land, causing WO Rocco to sustain a fractured wrist
and hip and a severely bruised back. Ignoring his injuries, he extracted
the survivors from the burning wreckage, sustaining burns to his own body.
Despite intense enemy fire, WO Rocco carried each unconscious man across
approximately 20 meters of exposed terrain to the Army of the Republic of
Vietnam perimeter. On each trip, his severely burned hands and broken wrist
caused excruciating pain, but the lives of the unconscious crash survivors
were more important than his personal discomfort, and he continued his rescue
efforts. Once inside the friendly position, WO Rocco helped administer first
aid to his wounded comrades until his wounds and burns caused him to collapse
and lose consciousness. His bravery under fire and intense devotion to duty
were directly responsible for saving 3 of his fellow soldiers from certain
death. His unparalleled bravery in the face of enemy fire, his complete
disregard for his own pain and injuries, and his performance were far above
and beyond the call of duty and were in keeping with the highest traditions
of self sacrifice and courage of the military service.
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