The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major (Infantry) William Darden Maples (ASN: 0-5304234/RA-18429727), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period August 1966 to August 1967 while serving consecutively as Commanding Officer, Detachment A-427, Commanding Officer, Detachment B-44 and Executive Officer, Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in the Republic of Vietnam. Through his expert advice and supervision of the Special Forces Civilian Irregular Defense Group Program, Major Maples contributed immeasurably to the struggle against the Viet Cong in his area of operations. Through his keen foresight and personal example of courage and dedication, a period of tactical and strategic success was achieved throughout Phu Quoc Island. His astutely supervised the implementation of new and improved methods of guerrilla warfare which brought about outstanding results in both tactics and intelligence. Major Maples’ thorough coordination and intelligent planning resulted in a highly effective revolutionary development program and countless successful combat operations. Demonstrating great personal courage, he participated in numerous operations against hostile forces. His sound recommendations and exceptional ability as an advisor won the respect of his Vietnamese counterparts and encouraged them in their demanding and heroic mission. Major Maples’ professional competence and outstanding achievements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Regiment:
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)Division:
1st Special ForcesAction Date:
September 18, 1966
Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 215 (January 17, 1967)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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) William Darden Maples (ASN: 0-5304234/RA-18429727), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Detachment A-427, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Maples distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 18 September 1966 while advising a Vietnamese counterinsurgency team on Phu Quoc Island. After a successful raid on a Viet Cong headquarters, the patrol was returning with several hostile prisoners, including the local insurgent leader, when Captain Maples alertly noticed a hostile force of unknown size attempting to flank the team. He immediately ordered his men to rapidly proceed to the rendezvous point. With complete disregard for his safety, he then fell behind with only one other Vietnamese soldier to cover the patrol’s withdrawal. As the Viet Cong element advanced, Captain Maples and the guard dauntlessly engaged the numerically superior force but were soon surrounded. When the Vietnamese soldier was wounded, Captain Maples continued firing and throwing grenades into the attacking insurgents, until his weapon jammed. Realizing that he might be killed, he nevertheless called for mortar fire on his own position as he threw his remaining few grenades. In an effort to avoid certain death or capture, Captain Maples selflessly carried his wounded comrade through the exploding mortar rounds and escaped. His exceptional courage and composure under intense hostile and friendly fire ensured the success of the team’s vital mission and accounted for twelve Viet Cong dead. Captain Maples’ gallantry in action and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel William Darden Maples (ASN: 0-5304234/RA-18429727), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while assigned to the United States Army Jungle Operations Training Center, Fort Sherman and, subsequently, to Headquarters, United States Army Forces Southern Command, Fort Amador, Canal Zone, from July 1968 to June 1973. While serving as Deputy Director of Instruction at the United States Army Jungle Operations Training Center, Colonel Maples was instrumental in developing a greatly improved Jungle Training Course and, due chiefly to his endeavors, successfully reorganized the Jungle Operations Committee into a separate training headquarters which graduated approximately 17,000 students. Throughout his tenure as Secretary of the General Staff and, subsequently Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army South, Fort Clayton, Republic of Panama, he consistently displayed his outstanding qualities and ability to coordinate and conduct several major tasks concurrently and to bring each to a successful conclusion. His managerial and executive abilities were fully used and proved invaluable in coping with the innumerable administrative tasks encountered. Due to his unexcelled knowledge and achievements, Colonel Maples was appointed as Executive Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Army South, Fort Clayton, Republic of Panama. In this position he served with unprecedented distinction. Noteworthy was his role in providing for harmonious liaison with component commanders and staffs, and the efficient planning and coordination of the Commander’s official visits to Central and South America. His fluency in the Spanish language made him extremely valuable in his job as he was able to greet and converse with Latin American visitors to the command and, also while accompanying the Commander in his official visits to Latin American countries. Lieutenant Colonel Maples’ steadfast devotion to duty, outstanding accomplishments and exceptionally valuable service reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Regiment:
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)Division:
1st Special ForcesAction Date:
September 25, 1966
Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6822 (December 14, 1966)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) William Darden Maples (ASN: 0-5304234/RA-18429727), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Detachment A-427, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Maples distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 25 September 1966 while serving as advisor to a friendly Vietnamese force during a search and destroy mission on Phu Quoc Island. While returning to base camp, part of the unit made contact with a Viet Cong force that was in a well concealed position. Due to the intensity of the fire and unfamiliarity with such action, the soldiers were not moving against the hostile force or delivering effective fire. Captain Maples immediately organized the men of his flank and hastened them toward the element under fire. Observing a lack of aggressive action, Captain Maples seized the weapon of a frightened soldier and moved into the hostile fire, yelling for the others to follow. Seeing still no reaction from his unit, with complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged into the Viet Cong position while firing his weapon. This example of courage was enough to stimulate an assault by his unit which overran the Viet Cong position. Captain Maples’ gallantry in action against a hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.