Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division
Place: A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam
GERTSCH, JOHN G.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 1st Battalion,
327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division
Place: A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 15 to 19 July 1969
Entered service at: Buffalo, New York
Born: 29 September 1944, Jersey City, New Jersey
Citation:
S/Sgt. Gertsch distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant
and platoon leader during combat operations in the A Shau Valley. During
the initial phase of an operation to seize a strongly defended enemy Position,
S/Sgt. Gertsch's platoon leader was seriously wounded and lay exposed to
intense enemy fire. Forsaking his own safety, without hesitation S/Sgt.
Gertsch rushed to aid his fallen leader and dragged him to a sheltered position.
He then assumed command of the heavily engaged platoon and led his men in
a fierce counterattack that forced the enemy to withdraw. Later, a small
element of S/Sgt. Gertsch's unit was reconnoitering when attacked again
by the enemy. S/Sgt. Gertsch moved forward to his besieged element and immediately
charged, firing as he advanced. His determined assault forced the enemy
troops to withdraw in confusion and made possible the recovery of 2 wounded
men who had been exposed to heavy enemy fire. Sometime later his platoon
came under attack by an enemy force employing automatic weapons, grenade,
and rocket fire. S/Sgt. Gertsch was severely wounded during the onslaught
but continued to command his platoon despite his painful wound. While moving
under fire and encouraging his men he sighted an aidman treating a wounded
officer from an adjacent unit. Realizing that both men were in imminent
danger of being killed, he rushed forward and positioned himself between
them and the enemy nearby. While the wounded officer was being moved to
safety S/Sgt. Gertsch was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Without S/Sgt.
Gertsch's courage, ability to inspire others, and profound concern for the
welfare of his men, the loss of life among his fellow soldiers would have
been significantly greater. His conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism,
and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty,
are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit
on him and the Armed Forces of his country.
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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: GERTSCH
First name: JOHN GARY
Home of Record (official): RUSSELL
State (official): PA
Date of Birth: Friday, September 29, 1944
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: SSG
Serial Number: 189365254
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E6
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11F4P
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Saturday, June 24, 1967
Date of Casualty: Saturday, July 19, 1969
Age at time of loss: 24
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Thua Thien
The Wall: Panel 20W - Row 019
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