266:. The platoon leader and his radio operator were wounded almost immediately, and Sp5 McWethy rushed across the fire-swept area to their assistance. Although he could not help the mortally wounded radio operator, Sp5c. McWethy's timely first aid enabled the platoon leader to retain command during this critical period. Hearing a call for aid, Sp5 McWethy started across the open toward the injured men, but was wounded in the head and knocked to the ground. He regained his feet and continued on but was hit again, this time in the leg. Struggling onward despite his wounds, he gained the side of his comrades and treated their injuries. Observing another fallen
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but suffered a fourth and fatal wound. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and demonstrated concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp5 McWethy inspired the members of his platoon and contributed in great measure to their successful defense of the position and the ultimate
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rout of the enemy force. Sp5 McWethy's profound sense of duty, bravery, and his willingness to accept extraordinary risks in order to help the men of his unit are characteristic of the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
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lying in an exposed position raked by enemy fire, Sp5 McWethy moved toward him without hesitation. Although the enemy fire wounded him a third time, Sp5 McWethy reached his fallen companion. Though weakened and in extreme pain, Sp5 McWethy gave the wounded man
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Serving as a medical aidman with
Company B, Sp5 McWethy accompanied his platoon to the site of a downed
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The McWethy Troop
Medical Clinic at Fort Sam Houston and Fort Jackson, South Carolina, are named in his honor.
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soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the
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Specialist McWethy's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
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McWethy, aged 22 at his death, was buried in Pence
Cemetery,
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United States Army personnel killed in the
Vietnam War
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List of Medal of Honor recipients for the
Vietnam War
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223:(Airmobile). During a firefight on that day, in
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356:"Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients (M-Z)"
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422:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor
402:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
183:(November 22, 1944 – June 21, 1967) was a
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366:. October 3, 2003. Archived from
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427:People from Leadville, Colorado
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215:in Company B, 1st Battalion,
203:McWethy joined the Army from
35:Specialist Five Edgar McWethy
412:United States Army soldiers
16:US Army soldier (1944-1967)
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360:Medal of Honor citations
191:—for his actions in the
245:Medal of Honor citation
343:public domain material
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273:artificial respiration
236:Baxter Springs, Kansas
87:Baxter Springs, Kansas
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181:Edgar Lee McWethy Jr.
114:Years of service
23:Edgar Lee McWethy Jr.
221:1st Cavalry Division
217:5th Cavalry Regiment
140:1st Cavalry Division
136:5th Cavalry Regiment
229:Republic of Vietnam
75:Republic of Vietnam
54:Leadville, Colorado
407:People from Kansas
225:Binh Dinh Province
185:United States Army
108:United States Army
71:Binh Dinh Province
260:automatic weapons
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66:(1967-06-21)
397:1967 deaths
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193:Vietnam War
151:Vietnam War
142:(Airmobile)
386:Categories
374:2007-07-09
314:References
256:helicopter
94:Allegiance
47:1944-11-22
262:fire and
199:Biography
117:1964–1967
281:See also
268:rifleman
264:grenades
102:Service/
157:†
165:Awards
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122:Rank
61:Died
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41:Born
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
