Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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Vietnam War - U.S. Army

Glenn Harry English Jr.

Details
  • Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
  • Unit/Command:
    Company E, 3d Battalion, 503d Infantry,
    173d Airborne Brigade
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: September 7, 1970
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Phu My District, Republic of Vietnam
Citation
S/Sgt. English was riding in the lead armored personnel carrier in a four-vehicle column when an enemy mine exploded in front of his vehicle. As the vehicle swerved from the road, a concealed enemy force waiting in ambush opened fire with automatic weapons and antitank grenades, striking the vehicle several times and setting it on fire. S/Sgt. English escaped from the disabled vehicle and, without pausing to extinguish the flames on his clothing, rallied his stunned unit. He then led it in a vigorous assault, in the face of heavy enemy automatic-weapons fire, on the entrenched enemy position. This prompt and courageous action routed the enemy and saved his unit from destruction. Following the assault, S/Sgt. English heard the cries of three men still trapped inside the vehicle. Paying no heed to warnings that the ammunition and fuel in the burning personnel carrier might explode at any moment, S/Sgt. English raced to the vehicle and climbed inside to rescue his wounded comrades. As he was lifting one of the men to safety, the vehicle exploded, mortally wounding him and the man he was attempting to save. By his extraordinary devotion to duty, indomitable courage, and utter disregard for his own safety, S/Sgt. English saved his unit from destruction and selflessly sacrificed his life in a brave attempt to save three comrades. S/Sgt. English's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
Medal of Honor Recipient Glenn H. English Jr.
Medal of Honor Recipient Glenn H. English Jr.
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: August 8, 1974
    Blair House, presented by Vice Pres. Gerald R. Ford to his family
  • Born: April 23, 1940, Altoona, Blair County, PA, United States
  • Died: September 7, 1970, Republic of Vietnam
  • Buried: Fort Bragg Post Cemetery (MH) (I-288-A), Fort Bragg, NC, United States
 

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