Rank Sergeant Battles and wars Vietnam War Awards Medal of Honor | Name Charles Fleek Battles/wars Vietnam War | |
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Born August 28, 1947
Petersburg, Kentucky ( 1947-08-28 ) Place of burial Petersburg Cemetery Petersburg, Kentucky Allegiance United States of America Died May 27, 1969, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam Unit 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Charles Clinton Fleek (August 28, 1947 – May 27, 1969) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
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Biography
Fleek joined the Army from Cincinnati, Ohio, and by May 27, 1969 was serving as a Sergeant in Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. During a firefight on that day, in Bình Dương Province, Republic of Vietnam, Fleek used his helmet to scoop an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his helmet. The grenade exploded before he could get it away from his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him.
Fleek, aged 21 at his death, was buried at Petersburg Cemetery in his birth city of Petersburg, Kentucky.
Medal of Honor citation
Sergeant Fleek's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Fleek distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader in Company C, during an ambush operation. Sgt. Fleek's unit was deployed in ambush locations when a large enemy force approached the position. Suddenly, the leading enemy element, sensing the ambush, halted and started to withdraw. Reacting instantly, Sgt. Fleek opened fire and directed the effective fire of his men upon the numerically superior enemy force. During the fierce battle that followed, an enemy soldier threw a grenade into the squad position. Realizing that his men had not seen the grenade, Sgt. Fleek, although in a position to seek cover, shouted a warning to his comrades and threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing its blast. His gallant action undoubtedly saved the lives or prevented the injury of at least 8 of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Fleek's gallantry and willing self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.