248:. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on April 4, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, one adviser, and seriously wounded all the advisors except Sfc. Littrell. During the ensuing 4 days, Sfc. Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he singlehandedly bolstered the besieged battalion. Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by Sfc. Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. Sfc. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sfc. Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the U.S. Army.
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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
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Littrell, U.S. Military
Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2nd Ranger Group,
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As of
October 1987, Littrell resides in St. Pete Beach, Florida. He used to participate in the Medal of Honor Foundation's Character Development Program as a speaker. Currently, he speaks to students through his own foundation, Tribute To Valor, where he promotes the six core values of The Medal of
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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
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Honor: courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity, and commitment. When addressing high school students in the area, he emphasizes the significance of leading a virtuous life, highlighting that "Integrity is the most important word in the world."
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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
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545:(Four Medal of Honor recipients, including Littrell, visit troops in Afghanistan.)
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117 Medal of Honor recipients share advice on leadership, courage, and success.
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551:"The Very Best Men: Those who are awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor"
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417:"Students learn core values from local Medal Of Honor recipient"
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526:"Medal of Honor recipients Visit Troops in Afghanistan"
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United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (born 1944)
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List of Medal of Honor recipients for the
Vietnam War
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207:The Medal of Honor was presented to Littrell in a
393:. The Ranger Regiment Association. Archived from
368:. The Ranger Regiment Association. Archived from
631:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
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151:President, Congressional Medal of Honor Society
270:(center), and CSM Gary L. Littrell (right) at
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666:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor
656:United States Army non-commissioned officers
636:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
291:Littrell retired from the army in 1985 as a
646:Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
476:(Details Littrell's Medal of Honor action)
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588:"Gary L. Littrell: Medal of Honor Series"
591:(webcast/podcast, interview by Ed Tracy)
570:"The harrowing command of Gary Littrell"
532:. Department of Defense. Archived from
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595:Pritzker Military Museum & Library
347:. Congressional Medal of Honor Society
549:W. Thomas Smith Jr. (July 12, 2006).
236:SERGEANT FIRST CLASS GARY L. LITTRELL
160:(born October 26, 1944) is a retired
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167:who, while serving as an adviser to
568:Richard Gray (September 25, 2005).
366:"The Ranger Hall of Fame Inductees"
489:Valor — A Gathering of Eagles
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641:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
415:Lewis, Bobby (October 23, 2019).
524:Sgt. Tara Teel (April 7, 2005).
463:. ArmyRanger.com. Archived from
391:"The Ranger Hall of Fame Bylaws"
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651:People from Henderson, Kentucky
244:Republic of Vietnam Army, near
169:Army of the Republic of Vietnam
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661:Recipients of the Air Medal
487:Col Jimmy Dean Coy (2003).
457:"To Fight with Intrepidity"
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278:on November 11, 2006.
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187:Medal of Honor action
80:Years of service
574:The Arizona Republic
536:on December 26, 2006
283:U.S. Army Rangers."
264:John J. McGinty, III
597:. January 12, 2006.
491:. Evergreen Press.
441:"Gary Lee Littrell"
193:Republic of Vietnam
54:Henderson, Kentucky
530:DefendAmerica News
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239:UNITED STATES ARMY
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162:United States Army
141:Cross of Gallantry
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177:Vietnam War
102:Vietnam War
615:Categories
579:2006-12-27
560:2006-12-27
540:2006-12-27
498:1581691114
471:2006-12-27
447:2006-12-27
401:2006-12-27
376:2006-12-27
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345:"Officers"
331:References
60:Allegiance
44:1944-10-26
246:Dak Seang
143:(Vietnam)
133:Air Medal
83:1961–1985
507:57246298
303:See also
68:Service/
606:C-SPAN
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262:Capt.
254:Honors
197:mortar
173:Ranger
108:Awards
70:branch
503:OCLC
493:ISBN
428:2019
421:WTSP
276:Iraq
88:Rank
38:Born
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