The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James Leroy Klunk (ASN: RA-11577845), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Klunk distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 May 1969, while serving as a Scout with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, on a raid mission in Long An Province. When his element assaulted a numerically superior enemy force in well entrenched positions, Sergeant Klunk, seeing that wounded personnel were pinned down and that the momentum of the assault was faltering, courageously maneuvered over an expanse of open terrain under intense fire to aid the assaulting element. Although wounded by shrapnel from a grenade, Sergeant Klunk ignored his injury to continue fighting so that the more seriously wounded could be safely evacuated. Sergeant Klunk’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
SergeantBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
47th InfantryDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 26, 1966
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 7249 (June 23, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant James Leroy Klunk (ASN: RA-11577845), United States Army, for heroism involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Klunk distinguished himself by valorous actions on 26 May 1969, while serving as a Scout Section Leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, on an ambush patrol. Sergeant Klunk maneuvered across 300 meters of open terrain under enemy fire and took up an exposed position from which he returned fire and directed his men. He led an assault on enemy positions and was instrumental in routing the enemy. Sergeant Klunk’s personal bravery and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
SergeantBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
47th InfantryDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 5, 1969
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 10700 (July 21, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant James Leroy Klunk (ASN: RA-11577845), United States Army, for heroism involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Klunk distinguished himself by valorous actions on 5 July 1969, while serving as a Scout with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, on an ambush patrol in Lonf An Province. When his platoon came under intense hostile fire, Sergeant Klunk boldly maneuvered across 100 meters of open terrain where he took up an exposed position from which to return fire. During the conflict, he braved a hail of enemy rounds as he rushed to the aid of the wounded and evacuated them to safety. Sergeant Klunk’s personal bravery and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.