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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting they Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Harvey Gordon Brande (ASN: RA-19507308), United States Army, for heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile force while swerving with Detachment A-111, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Brande distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 April 1967 while serving as Special Forces squad leader of a Vietnamese task force on a combat mission deep in hostile territory. While moving through thick jungle, the platoon was heavily attacked by a Viet Cong force firing automatic weapons. Sergeant Brande saw that the insurgents were inflicting numerous casualties from their positions on high ground and deployed his men to assault the hill. Completely ignoring his own safety, he led a fierce charge into the face of withering fire. He directed a deadly volume of rifle fire into the Viet Cong positions as he ran forward of his men. With bullets striking all around him, he led his men into the hostile positions, completely disorganizing the Viet Cong and forcing them to flee. His fearless leadership inspired his men to great heights in the face of grave danger. Staff Sergeant Brande’s personal bravery 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.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    February 6 & 7, 1968
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 1915 (April 25, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Harvey Gordon Brande (ASN: RA-19507308), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-101, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Brande distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 and 7 February 1968, as Platoon Leader of a Vietnamese strike force defending against an attack on the Lang Vei Special Forces camp. Enemy sappers and infantrymen initiated an assault on the perimeter under the cover of darkness, and they were quickly followed by communist tanks. Firing furiously, Sergeant Brande killed two of the sappers and his platoon dispersed the remainder. The hostile armor quickly broke through the outer perimeter, and he engaged them with grenades and anti-tank weapons. Braving withering machine gun and cannon fire, he and his men fought determinedly for over an hour before they were forced to pull back to secure the inner defensive perimeter. His accurate fire destroyed two enemy tanks before he withdrew. Sergeant First Class Brande’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Action Date:

    February 18, 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Harvey Gordon Brande (ASN: RA-19507308), United States Army, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia on 18 February 1968. Sergeant First Class Brande’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with highest traditions of the military service.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1968 – March 16, 1973

    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 Sergeant First Class Harvey Gordon Brande (ASN: RA-19507308), United States Army, for meritorious achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 7 February 1968 to 16 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 professional 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.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1968 – March 16, 1973

    Sergeant First Class Harvey Gordon Brande (ASN: RA-19507308), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from February 7, 1968 until his release on March 16, 1973.

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    April 6, 1967
    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4250 (August 21, 1967)

    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 Sergeant First Class Harvey Gordon Brande (ASN: RA-19507308), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Brande distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 April 1967 while serving as a Squad Leader in a mobile guerilla force in hostile territory. Sergeant Brande’s platoon observed a forward air controller aircraft crash into a hillside while taking part in Operation BLACKJACK TWELVE. He and his men rushed to the scene to attempt to rescue the crew of the plane. Upon reaching the crash site, Sergeant Brande rushed into the burning aircraft to help any survivors. Just as he entered the aircraft, ammunition began to explode, and the fuel tanks ruptured spreading burning fuel over the area. Without regard for his own safety, Sergeant Brande continued to search the aircraft until he was positive that there were not any survivors. Only then did he leave the burning and exploding plane. Sergeant First Class Brande’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.