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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 George W. Petrie (ASN: RA-14672362), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Detachment B-20, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Petri distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 August 1967, as Radio Operator and Platoon Leader of a Special Forces patrol on an extended reconnaissance mission in the Central Highlands. While moving down a heavily vegetated river valley, his company was savagely attacked by a large Viet Cong force. Sergeant Petri quickly led his control element toward the source of fire and sighted the patrol’s right flank moving unsuspectingly toward another portion of the enemy force. Ignoring his safety, he moved in front of the waiting Viet Cong troops and delivered a savage barrage on them, disrupting their ambush. The Viet Cong brought up a heavy machine gun in an attempt to gain fire superiority, and Sergeant Petri crawled toward the weapon under blazing fire. When he came into range of the weapon, he stood up and destroyed it and its crew with hand grenades. Bullets struck all around him as he returned to his men. He quickly deployed them for an assault, and led a furious charge which forced the insurgents to flee. He then skillfully directed air strikes on the enemy soldiers and inflicted heavy casualties on them. Sergeant First Class Petri’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Division:

    Son Tay Volunteer Task Force

    Action Date:

    November 21, 1970
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 43 (August 9, 1971)

    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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) George W. Petrie (ASN: RA-14672362), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms, and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. After crash-landing in the assault helicopter inside the prison compound, Lieutenant Petrie led his element in a search and clear action across the open and exposed portion of the compound courtyard to the main gate and gate tower to engage entrenched enemy personnel. Lieutenant Petrie, in the face of automatic weapons fire, personally charged the gate tower, clearing it with rifle fire and grenades. Then, with complete disregard for his life, he maneuvered to an exposed position in order to deliver covering fire for the remainder of the assault group. At this time Lieutenant Petrie was confronted with a counterattack, and, from this critical position, he placed accurate fire on the advancing enemy, repulsed the attack, and caused the enemy to flee. The enemy counterattacked a second time, and in a calm and efficient manner Lieutenant Petrie directed his element against the enemy and quickly eliminated this recurring threat. Lieutenant Petrie withdrew to the extraction point under fire, only after the compound search was completed and the order to withdraw was given. Lieutenant Petrie’s conspicuous disregard for his personal safety, extraordinary heroism against an armed hostile force, and extreme devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.