A Note from The Virtual Wall
On 08 June 1966, during Operation EL PASO II, A Troop, 1/4th Cavalry, was moving along Highway QL-13. As the convoy approached the Ap Tau O Bridge about 13 kilometers south of An Loc it was attacked by elements of the 272nd VC Regiment. Fourteen US soldiers died in the ensuing fight:
- A Co, 1st Avn Bn
- MAJ Phillip H. Holmes, Baton Rouge, LA
Aviation unit supporting A/1/4 Cav
- A Trp, 1st Sqdn, 4th Cavalry, 1st Inf Div, USARV
- PFC Roger L. Conner, Dunnville, KY
- SGT Donald E. Cook, Colorado Springs, CO
- SSG James I. Courtney, Kansas City, KS
- SSG Arthur W. Drynan, Baytown, TX
- SGT Dewey L. Ferguson, Marble Falls, TX
- SP4 Jorge L. Fernandez, Mount Vernon, NY
- SP5 John R. Oakey, Grantsville, UT
- PFC Terrill G. Peterson, New Brighton, MN
- SSG Francis C. Rummel, Butler, PA
- PFC Michael A. Sharp, Houston, TX
- PFC Avery G. Smith, Russell Springs, KY (Dist Svc Cross)
- SP5 Phillip R. Smith, Bothell, WA
- SP4 Joseph Torzok, Punxsutawney, PA
HQ US ARMY, VIETNAM,
APO San Francisco 96375
7 October 1966
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 5964
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
AVERY GENE SMITH, Private First Class, U.S. Army
Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment
| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date action: |
8 June 1966 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Avery Gene Smith, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. Private First Class Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 June 1966 while serving as tank loader on an armored convoy during a combat operations along Highway 13. While moving toward their objective, Private First Class Smith's column of armored vehicles was ambushed by a large Viet Cong force. Private First Class Smith unhesitatingly climbed outside to the exposed rear of the tank and began delivering suppressive fire upon the onrushing Viet Cong. Throughout the heaviest fighting of the engagement, he remained at this unprotected position and repelled the assaulting insurgents at point-blank range. During the course of action, Private First Class Smith was wounded in the face by shrapnel. Despite the severity of his wound, he remained at this self-appointed post and continued to protect his tank and other nearby vehicles. At one point during the battle, when the tank's main gun and machine guns were inoperable, Private First Class Smith's efforts alone prevented the vehicle from being overrun by the numerically superior Viet Cong force. When his tank received its fourth direct hit from Viet Cong fire, Private First Class Smith absorbed the brunt of the explosion and was mortally wounded. His extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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