fifth Special Forces Group
Maj. John J. Duffy distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and past the decision of responsibility, whereas assigned to the fifth Special Forces Group and serving as a senior advisor to the eleventh Airborne Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Airborne Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam within the Republic of Vietnam, on April 14-15, 1972.
Two days earlier, the commander of the eleventh Airborne Battalion was killed, the battalion command publish was destroyed, and Duffy was twice wounded however refused to be evacuated. Then on April 14, Duffy directed the protection of Fireplace Help Base Charlie, which was surrounded by a battalion-sized enemy factor.
Within the morning hours, after a failed effort to ascertain a touchdown zone for resupply plane, he moved near enemy anti-aircraft positions to name in airstrikes. At the moment, Duffy was once more wounded by fragments from a recoilless rifle spherical and once more refused evacuation.
Shortly after, the enemy started an artillery bombardment on the bottom and he remained in an uncovered place to direct gunships onto the enemy positions, which ultimately silenced the enemy hearth.
Following the bombardment, Duffy assessed the situations on the bottom and personally ensured that wounded pleasant overseas forces had been moved to positions of relative security and the remaining ammunition was appropriately distributed to the remaining defenders.
The enemy resumed oblique hearth on the bottom, expending an estimated 300 rounds. However, Duffy remained in an uncovered place to direct gunship hearth on the enemy positions.
Within the late afternoon hours, the enemy started a floor assault from all sides of the firebase, and Duffy moved from place to place to regulate hearth, spot targets for artillery observers and, in the end, to direct gunship hearth on a pleasant place which had been compromised.
Through the early morning hours of April 15, the enemy ambushed the battalion, inflicting extra casualties and scattering a number of the able-bodied service members. After withstanding the ambush, Duffy led the evacuees – lots of whom had been considerably wounded – to a longtime evacuation space, regardless of being frequently pursued by the enemy.
Upon reaching the exfiltration website, Duffy directed gunship hearth on enemy positions and marked a touchdown zone for the helicopters. Solely after guaranteeing the entire evacuees had been aboard, did Duffy board whereas additionally helping a wounded pleasant overseas service member. As soon as on board, he administered support to a helicopter door gunner who had been wounded throughout the evacuation.
Duffy’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness past the decision of responsibility had been in line with the best traditions of navy service and mirror nice credit score upon himself, his unit and the USA Army.
