USNA Class of 1963
USNA Class of 1963
The extraordinary heroism of three of our classmates - William Fitzgerald, David Robinson, and Willis Wilson - was recognized by the award of the Navy Cross. The citations that accompanied these awards are well worth reflection.
The Army Distinguished Service Cross holds the same order of precedence as the Navy Cross. One of our classmates, Frank Wroblewski, served in Vietnam as an Army Officer and was awarded the DSC for his actions.
Several of our classmates were awarded Silver Stars. Steve Toth received his posthumously, after the attack by the Israelis on the USS Liberty in 1967. The entire list of our classmates awarded Silver Stars:
One of the toughest duties
for any officer is to undergo imprisonment by the enemy. Two of us
endured years of confinement as prisoners of war:
Mike Cronin and
Denver Key. Personal recollections are linked.
A posthumous award of the Distinguished Flying Cross was made to
Kelly Patterson and Carl Doughtie.
CITATION: award of the Navy Cross
For extraordinary heroism on 7 August 1967 while
serving as senior advisor
to Vietnamese Navy Coastal Group SIXTEEN in connection with combat operations
against the communist insurgents (Viet Cong) in the Republic of Vietnam.
When Coastal Group SIXTEEN was taken under a
coordinated attack by numerically
superior Viet Cong forces, Lieutenant Fitzgerald established communications
with the Vietnamese Navy commanding officer, and attempted to coordinate
assistance with free-world forces in the area. The enemy fire soon
became too intense for the outnumbered base defense force to resist successfully
and the Viet Cong completely overran the base. Aware that his bunker
was the only remaining source of resistance, Lieutenant Fitzgerald requested
an artillery barrage to be laid down on his own position and ordered his
men to evacuate the base toward the river. He gallantly remained
in the command bunker in order to provide cover fire for the evacuating
personnel. Before Lieutenant Fitzgerald could carry out his own escape,
he was fatally shot by the Viet Cong aggressors. By his fearless
dedication to duty, courage under fire, and heroic actions in defense of
the base, despite overwhelming odds, Lieutenant Fitzgerald served as an
inspiration to all persons engaged in the counterinsurgency effort in Vietnam
and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
CITATION: award of the Navy Cross
For extraordinary heroism while serving as
Commanding Officer of the patrol
gunboat USS CANON (PG-90), during operations against enemy forces in the
Republic of Vietnam on 11 August 1970.
While Lieutenant Commander
Robinson was directing his ship's harassment and interdiction fire as the
craft proceeded up the Bo De River, the ship suddenly came under intense
enemy automatic weapons, rocket, and small arms attack from an estimated
forty-man force located in well-concealed positions in a mangrove swamp
on both banks of the river. During the initial hail of enemy fire,
Lieutenant Commander Robinson sustained a broken leg and numerous shrapnel
wounds when a rocket exploded on the port side of the flying bridge.
Despite his serious wounds and loss of blood, he continued to direct his
ship's fire until the enemy attack was suppressed. Refusing medical
evacuation, Lieutenant Commander Robinson submitted to first-aid treatment
and then requested that he be strapped in a stretcher and placed in an
upright position so that he could continue to direct the actions of his
ship until it cleared the enemy ambush site. Only after the ship
was anchored at an advanced tactical support base and he was assured that
his ship and crew were capable of continuing their assigned mission, did
he allow himself to be medically evacuated. By his extraordinary
courage, resolute fighting spirit and inspiring personal example in the
face of a fierce enemy attack, Lieutenant Commander Robinson upheld the
finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
| Bronze Star | Purple Heart |
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CITATION: award of the Navy Cross
For extraordinary heroism as a Platoon Commander
with Company B, First Battalion, Third Marines, in connection with operations
against communist forces in the Republic of Vietnam on 2 April 1966.
During Operation Orange, Lieutenant
Wilson's platoon became heavily engaged with the enemy near the hamlet
of Lap Thuan. Intense enemy mortar fire, close-range small-arms fire,
and barbed wire obstacles covered by automatic weapons prevented the forward
movement of the platoon. Although painfully wounded during the initial
mortar barrage, Lieutenant Wilson courageously moved up and down his platoon's
positions, directing his men and judiciously ordering the deployed squads
to bypass the barbed wire in an attempt to eliminate the Viet Cong threat.
When his platoon sergeant was wounded and became entangled in the barbed
wire, Lieutenant Wilson, with complete disregard for his own safety, started
across seventy-five meters of open terrain in an attempt to retrieve the
mortally wounded man, who was still being hit by small-arms fire.
Before he could reach the sergeant's position, Lieutenant Wilson was caught
in the hail of small-arms fire and seriously wounded in the shoulder.
Although thwarted in the rescue effort, he competently resumed direction
of the platoon and established a strong base of fire to provide cover for
a deployed squad. When a radio operator was wounded in a sudden flurry
of Viet Cong fire, Lieutenant Wilson again braved the withering fire to
assist the man. For the third time, he was hit, sustaining a serious
wound in the chest from small-arms fire. With extraordinary dedication
and presence of mind, he continued to maintain direction of his platoon.
Increasing the rate of fire from his base squads, he launched an attack
by the enveloping squad which finally silenced the Viet Cong fire.
By his exceptional valor despite his suffering from multiple wounds, daring
initiative and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, Lieutenant Wilson
upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States
Naval Service.
CITATION: award of the Distinguished Service Cross
For extraordinary heroism during operations against enemy forces in the
Republic of Vietnam on 28 September 1967.
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Wroblewski distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 September 1967 while serving as commander of an infantry company on a combat mission in Hau Nghia Province near the Cambodian border. During the first few minutes of a heliborne assault on a Viet Cong bivouac area, his unit was savagely attacked and pinned down on the landing zone by withering enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire. The insurgents completely surrounded the landing zone. Captain Wroblewski dauntlessly led his command group through a curtain of fire to a relatively protected position. He then discovered two of his platoons had lost radio contact with the command group and immediately moved to locate and lead them to join his other elements. He moved across two hundred meters of open ground, ignoring bullets striking all around him, to reach the first platoon. while he called air strikes to within fifty meters of their positions, the men began their movement toward the established defensive perimeter. Again moving across the battlefield alone, he reached the second platoon which was hopelessly trapped by extremely intense fire. The relentless barrage prevented movement without losses, so Captain Wroblewski moved into the open to direct artillery strikes within one hundred meters of his position. As the platoon withdrew, he remained behind to personally cover their movement. For four hours he continually moved among his men, inspiring them to fight furiously until reinforcements arrived and the combined forces routed the Viet Cong. Captain Wroblewski's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
| Bronze Star | Purple Heart |
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CITATION: posthumous award of the Silver StarAs intelligence officer, LT Toth was on the starboard wing of the flying bridge, 04 level, when the strafing attack occurred. It became a vital matter to quickly establish the national identity of the aircraft that had initiated the vicious attack in order to inform higher authority. With complete disregard for his own personal safety he fearlessly exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine gun fire to obtain this data. While engaged in this task a violent explosion on the starboard side of the bridge inflicted fatal injuries.
For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. On
1 June 1967, his captors, completely ignoring international agreements,
subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to
obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes.
Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly
toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese,
which was attracting international attention. By his determination,
courage, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit
upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and
the United States Armed Forces.
CITATION: award of the Silver Star (with Gold Star)
For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 1967 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Under constant harassment from their captors, and due to the frustrations of the prisoners during their long internment, many difficult situations arose, requiring perseverance, endurance and ingenuity. Using his extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and sound judgment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.
For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight on 2 January 1967 while serving as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron TWENTY-THREE, embarked in USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) during a mission in support of a strike into the Red River Delta, North Vietnam. When his aircraft was severely damaged by a surface-to-air missile during a strike against an enemy missile site, Lieutenant Commander (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade) Cronin regained control of his aircraft which had lost all hydraulic power and elevator control, by using horizontal stabilizer trim and manually controlling the rudder and aileron. Despite low ceillings and reduced visibilities which necessitated an instrument approach, Lieutenant Commander Cronin flew the stricken aircraft through the adverse weather to a safefield arrested landing, thus saving a valuable operational aircraft. His superb airmanship, courage and professionalism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
| Legion of Merit | Distinguished Flying Cross | Prisoner of War Medal |
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CITATION: award of the Silver Star
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while attached to
and serving with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron TWO as pilot in
command of an armored helicopter, flying a search and rescue mission
against enemy forces over North Vietnam on 18 July 1967. From a position
off the coast of North Vietnam, Lieutenant BENDER was notified that two
Navy pilots were downed four miles west of the heavily defended Phu Ly
road, river and rail intersection. Fully aware that another helicopter
had sustained heavy battle damage the previous day during the rescue of
another downed pilot in the same area and realizing that this area would
be the focal point of increased enemy opposition, Lieutenant BENDER
courageously elected to attempt the rescue. During the 105 mile over-
land flight, carefully navigated by Lieutenant Bender, MIG aircraft closed
to within 10 miles of the helicopter prior to interception by friendly
aircraft. Arriving in the SAR area they descended to a low altitude in
order to prosecute the search effectively. Thereupon intense ground fire
from three sides laced the area with tracers at such close range that the
sound of automatic weapons and small arms firing was audible above the
engine and rotor noise. Without regard to his personal safety, Lieutenant
BENDER continually exposed himself outside the cockpit window to search
for the survivor in the dense jungle growth and rugged karst cliffs and
To assist the gunners by effectively directing sub-machine gun fire against
the enemy troops. After 12 minutes in the difficult hover under intense
gun fire the first crewman was mortally wounded by a bullet which pierced
Lieutenant BENDER's window. Knowing that an Air Force rescue helo was
standing by, Lieutenant BENDER made the decision to withdraw and seek
medical aid for his dying crewman. The rescue was successfully effected,
aided in great measure by Lieutenant BENDER's persistence in locating the survivor, and tenacity in remaining in the area, suppressing enemy fire.
Lieutenant BENDER's superb courage while in command of the helicopter under fire, his gallantry in pressing the rescue effort, and extraordinary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 16 August 1968. Lieutenant SOVEREL commanded a column of River Assault Squadron NINE boats conducting operations in support of U.S. Army elements along the Ben Tre River in Kien Hoa Province. Late in the day, after heavy enemy contact was broken, Lieutenant SOVEREL coordinated the landing of a portion of the embarked troops and ordered approximately two-thirds of his boats to establish a defensive position at the beach. He and the remainder of his craft and the embarked infantry were proceeding downstream to another landing zone when a large Viet Cong unit opened fire from ambush position. One of the minesweepers received a direct hit from a recoilless rifle round and careened out of control toward the enemy bunkers. Lieutenant SOVEREL realizing the danger, initiated a devastating barrage of return fire on the enemy positions and ordered the other lead boats to cease minesweeping and take the damaged craft in tow. Lieutenant SOVEREL's accurate fire control succeeded in disrupting the enemy fire thus enabling him to turn the formation into the beach and land the infantry to assault the enemy. Lieutenant SOVEREL noticed that the two lead boats had not turned with the formation and realized they had not heard his command. When further efforts to communicate by radio failed, he instructed the monitor on which he was embarked to overtake the damaged craft and its tow. The intensity of enemy fire increased as the three boats passed deeper into Viet Cong territory, thus requiring Lieutenant SOVEREL to direct the monitor's gunners to engage several enemy positions simultaneously. After several minutes of pursuit, Lieutenant SOVEREL climbed on top a gun mount exposing himself fearlessly to continuing enemy fire to effect visual signals to turn the boats around. He maintained this position until finally gaining contact and reversing their course. On the return transit, he interposed his monitor between the two vulnerable craft and the enemy fire and covered their return. His outstanding professionalism, sense of responsibility and courage under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
| Bronze Star |
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
in action while serving as the Commanding Officer of Company B,
First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in connection with
operations against the enemy in the Republic of Viet Nam. On 6 July 1968,
Company B was occupying a defensive position on Hill 881 South in Quang
Tri Province when the Marines
suddenly came under an intense North Vietnamese mortar attack.
Disregarding his own safety, Captain BLACK fearlessly maneuvered
about the fire-swept terrain while directing the recovery of
friendly casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation,
he ably supervised the movement of his company to Hill 689, unhesitatingly
exponsing himself to hostile fire while while ensuring that his men were
expeditiously embarked aboard the extraction helicopters. Arriving at
the designated area, he skillfully established his company in a defensive
perimeter and directed his men to positions from which they could effectively
support elements of the battalion operating in the area. When the
battalion was attacked on the night of 7 July by a numerically
superior North Vietnamese Army force, he immediately deployed a
reinforcing platoon, enabling the Marines to successfully repulse the
enemy. Despite a critical shortage of personnel and
the imminent danger of hostile attack, Captain BLACK steadfastly
refused to withdraw from his vital position. Subsequently, after numerous
enemy probes, his company was assaulted by a numerically superior hostile
force employing mortars and recoilless
rifles. Ignoring the intense fire, he courageously moved about
the hazardous area, encouraging his men and directing their fire
upon the advancing hostile soldiers. Continuing his determined
efforts, he skillfully adjusted extremely close artillery and
81mm mortar fire and aggressively controlled his company until
the enemy was forced to flee in panic and confusion. His bold
initiative and resolute determination were a source of great
inspiration to his men and enabled his company to account for
numerous enemy killed. By his courage, agressive leadership and
steadfast devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger,
Captain BLACK contributed significantly to the accomplishment of
his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the
Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."
"An excellent officer, rich in the experiences of the battlefield and in commanding, always protecting the freedom of the Republic of Viet Nam.
During the communist attack into Hue City on the Lunar New
Year, Captain BLACK performed his demanding dutiesin an exemplary
and highly professional manner. He did well to engage violently
with the enemy, routing them out of the city. As a result of his
diligence and seemingly unlimited resourcefulness, he gained the
respect of all who observed him and through his outstanding leadership,
professionalism and loyal devotion to duty, he contributed
remarkable merit to the glorious victory obtained."
CITATION: award of the Silver Star Lieutenant CALHOUN was proceeding
into a hostile area for the purpose of inserting a
U. S. Navy SEAL Team
in a night ambush position of the north bank of the Upper Dong Tranh River.
Without warning, PBRs 71 and 76 were attacked by enemy automatic weapons,
small arms and B-40 rockets. Lieutenant CALHOUN immediately responded
to the surprise Viet Cong attack by closing the initial ambush position
and directing a heavy volume of .50 caliber machine gun fire thereby protecting
the withdrawal of the cover boat from the area. Lieutenant CALHOUN
then radioed the Tactical Operations Center and requested the assistance
of a Helo Fire Team. Although under fire from enemy positions on
three sides, Lieutenant CALHOUN effectively directed his boats in suppressing
the enemy fire and assisted the Helo Fire Team by directing them to the
heaviest concentration of Viet Cong. After having cleared the area,
Lieutenant CALHOUN was informed that one of the SEAL Team members had fallen
overboard. He immediately returned deep into the kill zone and with
complete disregard for his own personal safety, exposed himself to enemy
fire and directed the recovery of the man in the water. Lieutenant
CALHOUN's exemplary leadership, courage under fire and devotion to duty
upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
"For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action while serving as Patrol Officer of River Patrol
Boats 71 and 76, in the Upper Dong Tranh River, Rung Sat Special Zone,
Republic of Vietnam, on 22 September 1967.
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
[being researched]
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
[being researched]
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
[being researched]
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
[research requested: the Class would appreciate any information that
can be provided on Tony Nargi]
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
[research requested: the Class would appreciate any information that
can be provided on Coral Vance Schufeldt, who died in the Line of Duty in
1977.]
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in
action while serving with
Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 242, in connection with operations
against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 31 October 1967.
Captain Warshaw launched as Flight Leader of
two A-6 attack aircraft assigned a
night interdiction mission against a vital highway and railroad bridge
in the midst of a heavily defended area in North Vietnam. Despite the
lack of radar significant checkpoints, he effectively utilized his
aircraft's complex navigational system to fly by instruments through the
darkness to arrive at the initial point of approach to the target area.
Aware that his aircraft had come under hostile radar surveillance, he
skillfully flew his aircraft in a high speed low altitude approach,
often descending to seventy-five feet, in order to break the North
Vietnamese radar lock on his plane and to avoid the antiaircraft fire as
he approached the target. Undaunted by the enemy's surface-to-air
missile defense, radar-controlled antiaircraft weapons, large barrage
balloons trailing cables to the ground throughout the target area and
the threat of hostile aircraft, Captain Warshaw courageously maintained
his low level approach to the target. Less than a minute from the target
release point, he observed a surface-to-air missile launched against his
aircraft. Instantly, he maneuvered his aircraft in evasive action that
succeeded in eluding the missile. At tree top level, he rapidly made
precise heading corrections and climbed to 500 feet to deliver his
ordnance with pinpoint accuracy on the target. Returning to a low level
flight pattern, often at only fifty feet altitude he maneuvered his
aircraft through extremely intense fire as he departed the area. By his
bold initiative, dauntless courage and superb airmanship, Captain
Warshaw was instrumental in the destruction of a vital target,
reflecting great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upholding
the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
CITATION: award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
For heroism and extraordinary achievement in
aerial flight while
serving as a Pilot with Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 242, Marine
Aircraft Group Eleven, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with
operations against the enemy.
On the night of 12 April 1967, Captain
WARSHAW launched as Pilot of an A-6A Intruder aircraft, armed with
sixteen 500 pound bombs and four Zuni rocket pods, on a mission over
North Vietnam. Despite the fact that the enemy targets were heavily
defended and that turbulent weather conditions over the target area
required navigation by instruments, Captain WARSHAW displayed
exceptional professionalism and determination in locating and attacking
the enemy. As a result of his superior airmanship and courage, he
delivered his ordnance against five moving targets. After expending
all of his ordnance, Captain WARSHAW continued to reconnoiter the target
area to ensure the successful completion of his mission. Captain
WARSHAW's exceptional aeronautical ability, daring initiative and
selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of
the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
[research requested:
the Class would appreciate any information that can be provided on James
Cunningham, a non-graduating classmate awarded the Silver Star]
For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity in action while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed
conflict against Communist insurgent forces on the hostile island of Cu Lao Dung, Ba
Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 26 July 1967. While leading a small combat
patrol, Lieutenant TRANI, serving with SEAL Team Detachment ALFA, encountered
and subsequently was surrounded by a numerically superior enemy force. Unable to
maneuver out of the enemy encirclement, Lieutenant TRANI attempted to contact
supporting helicopters by radio, but before he could effectively communicate his unit's
position, he experienced radio failure. Undaunted by lack of communications with
supporting arms, he maneuvered his small unit into a tight defensive position. Though
pinned down by constant enemy automatic weapons and rifle fire in a position that
afforded only minimal protection for himself and his squad, and despite growing
uncertainty of the arrival of assistance, Lieutenant TRANI courageously moved among
his men and succeeded in keeping morale high. Faced with a limited supply of
ammunition and the imminent threat of a coordinated enemy attack that might easily
overrun his small unit, he methodically employed every conceivable means to attract the
attention of armed helicopters which he could hear operating in the distance. Four
unnerving hours passed before the armed helicopters arrived to assist his beleaguered
unit. Able to employ only primitive methods, he succeeded in marking his position for
the helicopters and directed their fire onto part of the Viet Cong forces surrounding him.
He directed another helicopter to a safe location to land for extraction of his unit. He
then organized his men and maneuvered them under continuing enemy fire to the
extraction craft without casualties or loss of a prisoner who later yielded valuable
intelligence information. Through his exemplary and professional leadership,
unwavering courage under fire and inspiring conduct throughout a desparate situation,
Lieutenant TRANI upheld the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.
CITATION: award of the Silver Star
| Legion of Merit | Bronze Star | Purple Heart |
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For heroism and extraordinary achievement
in aerial flight on 10 April 1967 as a naval flight officer serving with
Attack Squadron THIRTY-FIVE, embarked in USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65), during
aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia, Lieutenant Commander (then
Lieutenant) Patterson flew as leading bombardier/navigator on a pre-dawn air
strike against a vital and heavily defended steel mill in the heart of North
Vietnam. By navigating his aircraft at dangerously low altitude in instrument
flight conditions, over mountainous terrain, he successfully evaded enemy
defenses until within six miles of the target. Disregarding four
surface-to-air missiles fired at his aircraft and numerous
antiaircraft-artillery shells bursting around and ahead of him, he maintained
steady radar tracking of the target until bomb release, ensuring an optimum
bombing solution. Because of his superb navigational and radar-bombing skill,
his bombs found their mark and inflicted heavy damage upon the target.
Lieutenant Commander Patterson's performance contributed materially to the
disruption of enemy war materials production and was in keeping with the
highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
CITATION: award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
Citation being researched
CITATION: award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
| Air Metal | Purple Heart |
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| Posted: Memorial Day 1999 Updated: January 31, 2006 |
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