Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, 17 March 1968
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SP4
DeVore, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on the afternoon of 17 March 1968, while serving
as a machine gunner with Company B, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission approximately 5 kilometers south of
Saigon. SP4 DeVore's platoon, the company's lead element, abruptly came under intense fire from automatic
weapons, Claymore mines, rockets and grenades from well-concealed bunkers in a nipa palm swamp. One man
was killed and 3 wounded about 20 meters from the bunker complex. SP4 DeVore raced through a hail of fire to
provide a base of fire with his machinegun, enabling the point element to move the wounded back to friendly lines.
After supporting artillery, gunships and air strikes had been employed on the enemy positions, a squad was sent
forward to retrieve their fallen comrades. Intense enemy frontal and enfilading automatic weapons fire pinned
down this element in the kill zone. With complete disregard for his personal safety, SP4 DeVore assaulted the
enemy positions. Hit in the shoulder and knocked down about 35 meters short of his objectives, SP4 DeVore,
ignoring his pain and the warnings of his fellow soldiers, jumped to his feet and continued his assault under intense
hostile fire. Although mortally wounded during this advance, he continued to place highly accurate suppressive fire
upon the entrenched insurgents. By drawing the enemy fire upon himself, SP4 DeVore enabled the trapped squad
to rejoin the platoon in safety. SP4 DeVore's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in close combat were in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 39th Infantry,
and the U.S. Army.
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