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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Dennis James Gillem (ASN: OF-101452), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 13 March 1968. Captain Gillem distinguished himself while serving as Company Commander with Company C, 2d Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Company C was on a combat operation in the vicinity of Hue, Republic of Vietnam and was approaching a river when it came under heavy enemy fire from a series of fortified bunkers and houses on the opposite side of the river. As one man attempted to cross a bridge over the river, he was hit and fell on the bridge. When another man moved to the bridge to help the wounded man, he became pinned down by the intense enemy fire. Completely disregarding his own safety, Captain Gillem ran to an exposed position, enabling the man pinned down to move the wounded man as he laid down suppressive fire on the enemy positions. The wounded man was evacuated as far as the river bank but could be moved no further on the ground as a veritable fusillade of enemy rounds hitting all around them impeded any further progress on land. Oblivious to the hail of enemy rounds hitting all around him, Captain Gillem ran from his position, across an open rice paddy, and down the river bed constantly exposing himself to the lethal volleys of the enemy. Upon reaching the water he inflated an air mattress, moved it through not only the water but also the unwavering enemy fire, secured the wounded man and floated him down the river to a point where he could be administered aid. Captain Gillem’s steadfast courage and total dedication to his men is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 5, 1966
    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 919 (June 10, 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Dennis James Gillem (ASN: OF-101452), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division, on 5 June 1966. On this date at approximately 1520 hours, Lieutenant Gillem, as Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier General James F. Hollingsworth, was accompanying the general on board a UH-1D helicopter. Due to mechanical difficulty the aircraft was crash landed in an inundated rice paddy. The plane finally came to rest after rolling over on its left side. The left door gunner was pinned under the aircraft. The small party immediately began the difficult struggle to free the trapped and suffering soldier. The aircraft had fallen in an un-secure area and, while the other members dug and lifted to free the door gunner, Lieutenant Gillem re-established vital communications with rescue aircraft and directed their efforts upon arrival at the scene of the incident. He also provided security from possible nearby Viet Cong. On one occasion he saw two Vietnamese move toward the downed aircraft. Lieutenant Gillem pursued them in their subsequent retreat to insure that any attack would be met by the fire of his weapon. His heroic acts were instrumental in maintaining the security of the area. He further aided in the rescue mission by standing in the knee deep mud, which was then covered with dangerously flammable fuel, and labored to free the trapped gunner. After more than 30 hazardous minutes, the small party’s supreme efforts enabled them to life the aircraft to a point where the pinned gunner could be successfully removed and evacuated for treatment. Risking his own life, Lieutenant Gillem greatly aided in successfully rescuing the trapped soldier. Lieutenant Gillem’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 20, 1966
    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 2552 (October 7, 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Dennis James Gillem (ASN: OF-101452), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division, on 20 September 1966. On this date, Lieutenant Gillem, acting as aide-de-camp to the Assistant Division Commander, was performing control functions from a helicopter over a seal and search operation in the vicinity of Kahn Van. As United States and Army of the Republic of Vietnam troops began encircling the village it was reported that large numbers of Vietnamese were moving from the village across rice paddies to the south. The helicopter immediately proceeded into the area and executed several low level identification passes over a group of fleeing Vietnamese. During this maneuver the right door gunner observed a lone Vietnamese clad in black pajamas moving in the direction of a nearby stream. The aircraft made a high speed, low level pass over the man and Lieutenant Gillem identified him as a Viet Cong carrying an M-1 rifle. The right door gunner immediately engaged and killed the insurgent. The helicopter then flew along the stream in an attempt to find more Viet Cong. The left door gunner saw a hostile soldier dart into a bush near the stream, and thoroughly saturated the bush with fire but the body could not be spotted due to the dense foliage. The aircraft returned to the stream and continued its patrolling. As they came around a bend, two insurgents were spotted partially submerged in the river, clinging to the bank. Immediately doubling back into the area, Lieutenant Gillem scanned the underbrush along the bank, identified the targets, and directed devastating, accurate fire on them. After two firing passes, the kills were confirmed and the ship continued on. As a result of Lieutenant Gillem’s courageous perseverance, his lack of concern for his personal safety, and his expert marksmanship, under unfavorable circumstances, three Viet Cong were confirmed killed by body count, and a fourth was probably killed. The highly professional manner in which Lieutenant Gillem identified and engaged his targets was a significant deterrent to other Viet Cong who may have attempted to escape from the area. First Lieutenant Gillem’s actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.