Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Specialist Fifth Class Harry D. Bettcher (ASN: US-55839977), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an actual armed hostile force: Specialist Five Bettcher distinguished himself by exceptionally heroic actions not involving actual conflict with armed enemy on 29 May 1968, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 6th Artillery, near Plei Bruk Ja Rehin the Republic of Vietnam. While on duty at the battalion aid station, Specialist Bettcher received word that the battalion reconnaissance patrol had just sustained several severe causalities from the explosion of a fragmentation grenade. Without waiting for a security force to assemble, he and his section chief commanded a vehicle and drove to the scene of the incident. Upon arrival, Specialist Bettcher discovered a three quarter ton truck filled with dead and wounded men. With the aid of his section chief and the reaction force leader, Specialist Bettcher removed and covered the remains of one man and then turned his attention to the other two soldiers. In spite of the efforts of the three man rescue team, one of the wounded men died within moments. While Specialist Bettcher and the reaction force leader cut and stripped away the bloodied clothes of the other wounded man, the section chief suddenly discovered two fragmentation grenades with pins and handles missing, lying in the debris on the bed of the truck. While the section chief and the reaction force leader removed their protective vests and placed them over the damaged grenades Specialist Bettcher continued to administer to his patient’s wounds. Realizing that any disturbance would cause the grenades to detonate and knowing full well that an armored vest would only slightly reduce the destructive power of the damaged grenades, Specialist Bettcher continued to kneel by his patient, administrating to his needs with complete disregard for his own safety, until a medical evacuation helicopter arrived. Through his skill and courage, the patient’s life was sustained until the evacuation was completed. Specialist Bettcher’s heroic actions were 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