26 Nov 2006 Gary Waguespack was my closest childhood friend before I moved from our neighborhood at 8 years old. He and I were inseparable. He taught me how to tie my tennis shoes, we built spaceships (boxes and our Dad's workbenches with bottle-cap knobs and switches) and thus traveled the galaxy together. He was a fine athlete. I last saw him as our respective high school track teams were working out at the NORD track near the waterworks. I was devastated when I heard of his death in Viet Nam and attended his funeral. Even though our paths diverged after our "small kid days," I recognized that an exceptionally talented person was lost to this world. I still think of my childhood buddy and the fun we shared together. From a friend, Daniel Bent E-mail address is not available.

 

14 Oct 2007 Headquarters 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION APO San Francisco 96262 25 September 1967 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 3118 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. WAGUESPACK, GARY L US54606882 PRIVATE FIRST CLASS E-3 United States Army Co B, 1st Bn, 12th Inf, 4th Inf Div, APO 96262 Awarded: Silver Star Date action: 12 July 1967 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 July 1967 Private First Class Waguespack distinguished himself while serving as an Ammunition Bearer in a machine gun team in Company B, 1st Battalion, 12 Infantry, operating near Duc Co. As his platoon reached the top of a small hill, it began receiving heavy mortar and automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force and was forced to halt. Private First Class Waguespack and the rest of his machine gun crew immediately emplaced their weapon and began firing, placing such an intense volume of fire on the attacking forces that several assault waves were forced to withdraw. When the platoon began to shift its position, he and the other machine gunners remained behind, providing an effective base of fire to cover the movement despite enemy fire so close it kicked up rocks in their faces. He remained in position fighting back the enemy until the rest of the team was mortally wounded. Private First Class Waguespack then picked up the machine gun and attempted to move it back to the rest of the platoon, but he was able to go only a short distance before he was hit and fatally wounded. His courage and determination in mortal combat are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the United States Army Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918. FOR THE COMMANDER: CHARLES A. JACKSON Colonel, GS Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: B. H. HYLAN CPT, AGC Asst AG REMEMBERED by his family. Placed by his sister, Linda Waguespack lwag@bellsouth.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 12 July 1967, the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, was engaged in the Ia Pnon River Valley by a battalion or larger force from the 66th NVA Regiment. When engaged, the 1/12's three rifle companies were physically separated, allowing the enemy force to attack the companies individually - B Company and C Company were isolated and taken under attack. Although C Company suffered only minor losses (5 wounded and none killed), B Company took heavy losses. 1st Lt Bragg had been with 1/12 Infantry for some months as the leader of an artillery Forward Observer team. When Captain Brian W Rushton, the B Company Commander, was killed, Bragg was directed to take command of the company. He did, and fought it with courage until he also was killed - one of 32 men who died that day. Additional information and a full listing of the casualties is on The Virtual Wall's C/1/12 Infantry Memorial

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