Both Sergeant Keller and Specialist Fourth Class Raymond Wright were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic, two-man assault against a superior-sized enemy force.
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Both Sergeant Keller and Specialist Fourth Class Raymond Wright were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic, two-man assault against a superior-sized enemy force.
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The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Leonard Bert Keller, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam, on 2 May 1967. Sweeping through an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier, Sergeant Keller’s unit suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a number of enemy bunkers and numerous snipers in nearby trees. Sergeant Keller quickly moved to a position where he could fire at a bunker from which automatic fire was received, killing one Viet Cong who attempted to escape. Leaping to the top of a dike, he and a comrade charged the enemy bunkers, dangerously exposing themselves to the enemy fire. Armed with a light machinegun, Sergeant Keller and his comrade began a systematic assault on the enemy bunkers. While Sergeant Keller neutralized the fire from the first bunker with his machinegun, the other soldier threw in a hand grenade killing its occupant. Then he and the other soldier charged a second bunker, killing its occupant. A third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the friendly platoon. Again, with utter disregard for the fire directed to them, the two men charged, killing the enemy within. Continuing their attack, Sergeant Keller and his comrade assaulted four more bunkers, killing the enemy within. During their furious assault, Sergeant Keller and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. The ferocity of their assault had carried the soldiers beyond the line of bunkers into the tree line, forcing snipers to flee. The two men gave immediate chase, driving the enemy away from the friendly unit. When his ammunition was exhausted, Sergeant Keller returned to the platoon to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. The two-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from a well prepared position, accounted for numerous enemy dead, and prevented further friendly casualties. Sergeant Keller’s selfless heroism and indomitable fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.