Gerald Wayne Purdon
Sergeant
C CO, 2ND BN, 8TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Cincinnati, Ohio
July 30, 1948 to April 01, 1970
GERALD W PURDON is on the Wall at Panel W12, Line 73

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Gerald W Purdon
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Purdon with General Officer at some time prior to 1 April 1970

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Silver Star

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE)
APO San Francisco 96450

General Orders
Number   7671                                                                        13 May 1970

AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR

1. TC 439.   The following AWARD is announced posthumously.

PURDON, GERALD W. 294465994    SGT (Then SP4)    US Army, Company C,
2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 8th Cavalry


Awarded:
Silver Star
Date of action:
01 April 1970
Theater:
Republic of Vietnam
Authority:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 2 July 1970.
Reason:
For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fourth Class Purdon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 April 1970, while serving as rifleman in the Republic of Vietnam. As the base camp came under a heavy rocket, mortar, and ground attack, Specialist Fourth Class Purdon moved to the perimeter to place effective fire on the advancing enemy force. When incoming rounds ignited the ammunition dump, although only a few meters from the certain explosion, he continued to repel the aggressors with small arms fire. After his weapon malfunctioned, he fought the hostiles with hand-to-hand combat in a valiant effort to defend the base. His gallant action was 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:



OFFICIAL:                                      E.C. MEYER
                                                      Colonel, GS
(Signature)                                    Chief of Staff
BRUCE B. BINGHAM
1LT AGC
Asst AG

DISTRIBUTION:

Gerald Purdon is buried with his wife who passed away in 2000 at the Confidence Cemetery, Georgetown, Ohio

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During the period immediately prior to the Cambodian incursion, United States and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) units conducted extensive operations along the South Viet Nam/Cambodian border. During March and April of 1970 the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) opened and closed seven fire bases to support these operations.

Fire Support Base Illingworth, located on Route LTL-20 about 35 kilometers northwest of Tay Ninh City, opened on 17 March, and was assaulted by a battalion of the 272nd NVA Regiment in the early morning hours of 01 April 1970. The Base was closed on 04 April by the 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, as the focus of US operations shifted.

When the Fire Base closed, a total of 16 howitzers moved to FSB Wood (4 x 8 inch and 12 x 105mm howitzers from 4 different units) which was a large concentration of artillery weapons for a relatively small Fire Support Base.

While the assault on FSB Illingworth cost the North Vietnamese nearly two hundred dead, the Americans paid a high price too. US losses were 25 known dead and 54 wounded in action. The United States soldiers killed in action were



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