CUTINHA, NICHOLAS J.

Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division

Place: Near Gia Dinh, Republic of Vietnam

Date: 2 March 1968

Entered service at: Coral Gables, Florida

Born: 13 January, 1945, Fernandina Beach, Florida

Citation:

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

While serving as a machine gunner with Company C, Sp4c. Cutinha accompanied his unit on a combat mission near Gia Dinh. Suddenly his company came under small arms, automatic weapons, mortar and rocket propelled grenade fire, from a battalion size enemy unit. During the initial hostile attack, communication with the battalion was lost and the company commander and numerous members of the company became casualties. When Sp4c. Cutinha observed that his company was pinned down and disorganized, he moved to the front with complete disregard for his safety, firing his machine gun at the charging enemy. As he moved forward he drew fire on his own position and was seriously wounded in the leg. As the hostile fire intensified and half of the company was killed or wounded, Sp4c. Cutinha assumed command of all the survivors in his area and initiated a withdrawal while providing covering fire for the evacuation of the wounded. He killed several enemy soldiers but sustained another leg wound when his machine gun was destroyed by incoming rounds. Undaunted, he crawled through a hail of enemy fire to an operable machine gun in order to continue the defense of his injured comrades who were being administered medical treatment. Sp4c. Cutinha maintained this position, refused assistance, and provided defensive fire for his comrades until he fell mortally wounded. He was solely responsible for killing 15 enemy soldiers while saving the lives of at least 9 members of his own unit. Sp4c. Cutinha's gallantry and extraordinary heroism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

--- General / Personal ---

Last name: CUTINHA

First name: NICHOLAS JOSEPH

Home of Record (official): ALVA

State (official): FL

Date of Birth: Saturday, January 13, 1945

Sex: Male

Race: Caucasian

Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Army

Rank: SP4

Serial Number: 53579467

Component: Selective Service

Pay grade: E4

MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B10

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Friday, October 20, 1967

Date of Casualty: Saturday, March 2, 1968

Age at time of loss: 23

Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died

Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)

Country: South VietNam

Province: Gia Dinh

The Wall: Panel 42E - Row 030

------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to: Medal Of Honor Recipients