Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Harry
Lawrence
Ettmueller
POW (RVN)
1944-11-10

–

Born:

Pleasantville

, 

New Jersey

Home:

Pleasantville

, 

New Jersey

Harry Ettmueller was interned as a Prisoner of War in South Vietnam and later in North Vietnam after he was captured on February 3, 1968, and was held until his release on March 5, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    American Forces Television Station, Hue, Republic of Vietnam

    Action Date:

    February 2, 1968
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 56 (December 31, 1974)

    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 Staff Sergeant Harry Lawrence Ettmueller (ASN: 12666352), United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Detachment Number 5, American Forces Television Station, Hue, Republic of Vietnam on 2 February 1968 during the Communist “TET Offensive”. At approximately 1900 hours a much superior numerical force of North Vietnamese Regulars attempted a sneak attack on the quarters of Detachment Number 5 personnel located at Number 6 Tran Duc Street, Hue. Although suffering from wounds received in the right thigh by an enemy fragmentation grenade on 1 February 1968, then Specialist Fifth Class Harry L. Ettmueller, with total disregard for his personal safety and previously incurred wound, took a position outside the entrance to the rear of the building and deterred an enemy attempt to enter the building. His immediate actions during the enemy’s initial assault and during the 16-hour battle that followed was instrumental in deterring the enemy’s attempt to overrun Detachment’s Number 5 position and thereby contributed to the saving of the lives of the detachment members. His position was later overrun and he was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 5 March 1973. Staff Sergeant Ettmueller’s heroic actions are in keeping with the highest tradition of the services and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    May 1971 – May 1972

    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 to Staff Sergeant Harry Lawrence Ettmueller (ASN: 12666352), United States Army, for meritorious achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period May 1971 to May 1972. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes and at the same time improving prisoner morale. His loyalty, diligence and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 3, 1968 – March 5, 1973

    Staff Sergeant Harry Lawrence Ettmueller (ASN: 12666352), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia and from February 3, 1968 until his release on March 5, 1973.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Southeast Asia)

    Action Date:

    February 3, 1968 – March 5, 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Staff Sergeant Harry Lawrence Ettmueller (ASN: 12666352), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service to the United States of American while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 3 February 1968 to 5 March 1973. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of Southeast Asia demonstrated his personal competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this American continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.