Distinguished: American Military War Heroes Distinguished: American War Heroes

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James Anderson Jr. was born on January 22, 1947, in Los Angeles, California. Following high school, he pursued his ambition to become a preacher at a local church while attending Los Angeles Harbor Junior College. However, after a year and a half, he changed course and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 17, 1966. After his training, he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in December 1966, serving as a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division in Quang Tri Province. On February 28, 1967, during Operation Prairie II, Anderson and his platoon faced heavy enemy fire while attempting to rescue a besieged reconnaissance patrol in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo. The platoon swiftly responded, returning fire. Anderson found himself lying on the ground among closely grouped Marines, about 21 yards of the enemy and began firing back at them.  Suddenly, a grenade landed just a few feet from Anderson's head. Without hesitation, Anderson selflessly grabbed the grenade, pulled it into his chest and wrapped himself around it before it detonated. Anderson valiantly defended his comrades, even selflessly sacrificing himself by shielding them from an incoming grenade. Anderson's body absorbed the blast and He was immediately killed. His heroic act saved his fellow Marines, though it cost him his life. He was laid to rest at Lincoln Memorial Park in Carson, California. On August 21, 1968, Anderson posthumously received the Medal of Honor, which was accepted by his parents from Navy Secretary Paul R. Ignatius during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington. This distinction made him the first Black Marine to be honored with the nation's highest award for valor. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Anderson was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with a bronze star, the Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Private First Class James Anderson Juniors legacy lives on through his name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, a US Navy ship named in his honor, a park dedicated to him, a Marine Base Hall bearing his name, and various highways and streets named after him.


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Larry Taylor was born in 1942 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and grew up in a family with a strong military tradition. His great-great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, his great-uncle in World War I, and his father and uncles in World War II. He enlisted in the US Army Reserve on June 5, 1966. On August 14, 1966, he joined the Regular Army. After completing his training at the US Army Armor School, he attended the US Army Primary Helicopter School and qualified as an Army aviator in June 1967. Approximately two months later, Taylor found himself in Vietnam. On the night of June 18, 1968, a four-man Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol team was observing a village occupied by around 80 North Vietnamese soldiers. A firefight broke out, and the soldiers soon realized they were surrounded, prompting them to radio for air support. Taylor led a helicopter light-fire team and was dispatched to assist the four pinned-down American soldiers. Taylor flew over the firefight and provided air support until he ran out of rockets and ammunition. Taylor radioed the patrol team and requested the four soldiers to mark their location with flares. Despite facing intense ground fire, the two Cobra gunships continued to make low-level attack runs for the next 45 minutes. With both helicopters nearly out of ammunition and the enemy still closing in, Taylor learned that a plan to rescue the soldiers with a UH-1 Huey helicopter had been canceled due to the extreme danger. Running low on fuel and with the patrol team almost out of ammunition, Taylor decided to extract the team using his two-man Cobra helicopter, an unprecedented and daring feat. Taylor directed his wingman to fire his remaining minigun rounds along the eastern flank of the patrol team and then return to the base camp. Taylor himself fired his own minigun along the team's western flank, using his Cobra's landing lights to draw the enemy's attention while the patrol team moved to a nearby extraction point. Recognizing that the pinned-down soldiers had no other options, Taylor radioed the team leader and made an unconventional request. He asked the soldiers to create a diversion by running 100 yards from their position and lying down in the grass. The soldiers followed his orders and were astonished as they quickly realized that Taylor was landing his Cobra in the midst of the firefight, putting his life at great risk. Given that the Cobra Helicopter had no means of transporting troops, Taylor swiftly ordered the four soldiers to cling to the helicopter's skids and rocket pods as he lifted them out of the battle and transported them to a safer location several miles away. This courageous act saved their lives. The soldiers miraculously rescued that night were David Hill of Visalia California; Robert Eisner of New York City; Gerald Patty of Maryville Tennessee; and William P. Cohn of Norwich Connecticut. Taylor completed over 2,000 combat missions in UH-1 and Cobra helicopters. He faced enemy fire on 340 occasions and was forced to make emergency landings five times. Captain Taylor's selfless actions on that fateful night saved the lives of the surrounded patrol team, and his bravery continues to exemplify the highest traditions of military service. He was honorably discharged from active duty on August 31, 1970, having attained the rank of Captain, and was discharged from the US Army Reserve on October 17, 1973. For his conspicuous actions, the US Army awarded him a minimum of 50 combat decorations, including the Silver Star, 43 Air Medals, a Bronze Star, and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. More than 55 years later, on September 5, 2023, during a ceremony at the White House, President Joe Biden recognized 81 year old Captain Larry Taylor's heroism and awarded him the Medal of Honor.


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Ralph Dias, was born on July 15, 1950, in Indiana County Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on October 9, 1967, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. After completing his training, Dias was deployed to Vietnam in April 1969. He served as a rifleman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. On November 12, 1969, during combat, Dias was part of a reaction force that came under heavy enemy fire while assisting a pinned-down platoon. Observing the high casualties sustained by both units, Private First Class Dias displayed remarkable courage. He initiated a bold assault on an enemy machine-gun bunker, the primary source of hostile fire. Despite being severely wounded by enemy snipers while charging across an open area, he managed to drag himself to the safety of a nearby rock. Ignoring his own wounds, Dias bravely ventured out again, only to be wounded once more. Undeterred and unable to walk, he crawled over 15 yards to find cover near his target. With extraordinary bravery, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire, hurling multiple hand grenades at the machine-gun emplacement. Dias remained resolute in his determination to neutralize the emplacement. Despite being wounded by sniper fire for the third time, he pressed on. With a final grenade, Dias successfully destroyed the enemy position, saving the lives of numerous fellow comrades. Tragically, he sustained a mortal wound from another enemy round while accomplishing this heroic act. Dias paid the ultimate sacrifice, gallantly giving his life in service to his country. His valor did not go unnoticed. On July 17, 1974, Vice President Gerald R. Ford posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor, which was presented to his family. This distinguished medal now resides at the Ohio Military Museum in Massillon, Ohio. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Dias received several other honors recognizing his service. These include the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation (Gallantry Cross Color) with palm and frame, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation (Civil Action Medal, First Class Color) with palm and frame, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device. Private First Class Dias was laid to rest at Oakdale Cemetery in Leetonia, Ohio. His story stands as a testament to bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to duty.


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Charles Joseph Berry was born in Lorain Ohio, on July 10, 1923. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Cleveland Ohio, on October 1, 1941 when he was 18 years old. During World War 2, he landed on Iwo Jima on D-Day, February 19, 1945. On March 3, 1945, Berry maintained a vigilant stance alongside his fellow gun crew during the perilous nighttime hours, remaining prepared at his weapon. Amidst this darkness, Japanese forces launched an unexpected attack, catching Berry by surprise as he manned a foxhole. The assault brought forth a barrage of live grenades, descending upon him and his comrades in the foxhole. Undaunted, he exhibited remarkable courage, swiftly returning the grenades one after another. However, as one grenade landed beyond his reach, Berry faced a critical moment. In a display of unselfish determination and a commitment to his fellow soldiers, Berry made an instantaneous decision. Without hesitation, he chose to jump onto the live grenade, absorbing the explosive impact within his own body. His selfless act of bravery shielded his comrades from severe harm and undoubtedly saved their lives. Charles Berry made the ultimate sacrifice and was killed in action on March 3, 1945 at the age of 21. Originally laid to rest in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Berry's remains were later relocated to Elmwood Cemetery in Lorain Ohio, in 1948. In recognition of his exceptional valor, Berry was posthumously bestowed with the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. In a lasting tribute, the Erie Avenue Bridge located in Lorain, Ohio, underwent a renaming in 1988 to become the Charles Berry Bridge, serving as a memorial to Corporal Berry's courage. Additionally, the destroyer escort USS Charles Berry was christened in his honor, further immortalizing his legacy.



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Gary Burnell Beikirch was born on August 29, 1947, in Rochester, New York. Beikirch enlisted in the United States Army on September 21, 1967, as a Green Beret. During his time in the army, Beikirch served with the 3rd, 5th and 10th Special Forces Groups as a Light Weapons and Medical Specialist. In July of 1969, He was sent to Vietnam. While serving as a sergeant with Company B of the 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces, Beikirch was stationed at Dak Seang Camp, home to Montagnard villagers and fighters, in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum. On April 1, 1970, the camp was attacked by a numerically superior North Vietnamese force. While his Montagnard assistants treated the wounded, Beikirch fought back with a 4.2-inch mortar and, after that weapon was disabled by hostile fire, he used a machine gun. Learning that a fellow American soldier was wounded and lying in an exposed position, he ran through heavy fire to rescue the man. He was hit by shrapnel in the process, including one fragment which struck near his spine and partially paralyzed him. For the remainder of the battle he had his Montagnard assistants carry him from one position to another as he treated the injured. He was wounded in the side while giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a Montagnard fighter and was then shot in the stomach. Despite this, he continued to provide medical care and fire his weapon from his stretcher until losing consciousness. He was evacuated by helicopter and spent six months recovering at Valley Forge Medical Center. Beikirch repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to treat wounded soldiers. Despite sustaining serious wounds himself, he continued to provide medical aid, organize a defense, and coordinate the evacuation of wounded comrades. His selfless actions saved numerous lives and inspired those around him. On October 15, 1973, President Richard Nixon presented the Medal Of Honor to Beikirch, for his actions at Dak Seang. On September 22, 2012, the Second Battalion of the Fifth Special Forces Group named their new battalion operations building, "Beikirch Hall," in dedication to the former member of the unit.

Aside from the medal of honor, Beikirch was also awarded:

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
and a Special Forces Tab.

On December 26, 2021, Beikirch died in Rochester New York, at the age of 74. He was laid to rest at White Haven Memorial Park, in Pittsford New York.