sgt. john w. kreckel
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Sgt. John W. Kreckel
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam
APO San Francisco 96375
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 5063
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
TC 439. The following AWARD is announced.
KRECKEL, JOHN W. SERGEANT United States Army Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), APO 96383.
Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross
Date of action: 22 July 1970
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 25 July 1963.
Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant Kreckel distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader during an intense enemy attack at Fire Support Base Ripcord on 22 July 1970. Soon after the enemy initiated their attack on the base the allies were forced to withdraw from their hilltop location to organize a counter-offensive. As they prepared to assault the enemy, the allied element began receiving intense fire from an enemy machine gun emplacement located on higher terrain. Without hesitation, Sergeant Kreckel ran into the fire swept area and began administering aid to wounded allied soldiers. He then organized several companions into an assault force and led them up the hill toward the enemy position. As the assault force neared the enemy emplacement, intense fire forced them to take cover. At this time, Sergeant Kreckel observed a companion standing directly in the line of fire of an enemy weapon. Leaving his covered position, the sergeant ran to the soldier and pushed him to safety but was simultaneously killed by the enemy fusillade. Sergeant Kreckel's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
FOR THE COMMANDER: