Allegiance United States Years of service 1961 - 1985 | Rank Sergeant major Name Gary Littrell | |
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Awards Medal of HonorLegion of MeritBronze Star (3)Purple HeartMeritorious Service MedalAir MedalArmy Commendation MedalVietnamese Cross of Gallantry with bronze star deviceCombat Infantryman Badge Other work President, Congressional Medal of Honor Society | ||
Gary Lee Littrell (born October 26, 1944) is a retired United States Army Command Sergeant Major who, while a Sergeant First Class serving as an adviser to Army of the Republic of Vietnam's Ranger units during the Vietnam War, acted with extraordinary courage during a four-day siege on his battalion — for which he received the Medal of Honor.
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SERGEANT FIRST CLASS GARY L. LITTRELL
UNITED STATES ARMY
Medal of Honor action
Between April 4 and April 8, 1970, while serving on Advisory Team 21 of I Corps Advisory Group, in Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, Sergeant First Class Littrell was a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23rd Battalion, 2nd Ranger Group. The battalion was under intense mortar attack — all advisors except Littrell were killed. Unrelentingly, over four days, Littrell kept the battalion inspired, while he directed artillery and air support, distributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded, and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. For his "sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness", he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor was presented to Littrell in a White House ceremony by President Richard Nixon on October 15, 1973.
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS GARY L. LITTRELL
UNITED STATES ARMY
Honors
In 1993, Littrell was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame, which serves to "honor and preserve the contributions of the most extraordinary U.S. Rangers in American history, to identify and highlight individuals as role models for current era Rangers, and to educate the public on the culture of the U.S. Army Rangers."