Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Howard William Wenger (MCSN: 1185973), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 March 1966, Staff Sergeant Wenger was participating in a search and destroy operation in the vicinity of Quang Ngai when heavy contact was made with the enemy. Despite murderous machine gun and automatic weapons fire concentrated in his zone of action, Staff Sergeant Wenger skillfully organized his unit and led the assault on the Viet Cong force which was concealed in prepared positions behind a hedgerow fifty meters to the front. Under his aggressive leadership, his unit overran the enemy front lines and killed more than twenty Viet Cong. Noticing that one of his men’s machine guns had been damaged and was inoperative, Staff Sergeant Wenger fearlessly braved the vicious fire to move to the position and returned the weapon to action. When several of his comrades were wounded by mortar fire, he unhesitatingly moved into the enemy concentration to administer medical aid and assist two of the casualties to a secure area. In the face of increasingly intense enemy fire, he reorganized his platoon and, completely disregarding his own safety, moved from man to man along the platoon front to direct his men’s fire and offer advice and encouragement. Ordered to consolidate friendly positions, he exhibited composed, professional skill in repositioning his men and directing their fire to cover movement of an adjacent unit. After personally ensuring that all friendly casualties had been evacuated, he guided the movement of his men to new positions. His courageous effort throughout the bitter engagement was an inspiration to all who observed him. By his extraordinary professional skill, fortitude in the face of enemy fire and unfaltering dedication to duty, Staff Sergeant Wenger upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    September 24, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Howard William Wenger (MCSN: 1185973), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 24 September 1966. On that day, Staff Sergeant Wenger’s platoon was serving as the lead element of a Company-size patrol in the Dong Ha Mountains of Quang Tri Province, when they came upon a strand of communication wire suspected of belonging to North Vietnamese forces. Following the wire in hopes of locating an encampment, the platoon soon encountered and killed a five-man enemy wire detail, the proceeded to follow the wire until they were within the enemy’s perimeter. Immediately the platoon came under intense machine gun and small arms fire from a numerically superior force, estimated to be of Regimental size, entrenched in fortified positions. Disregarding his own safety, Staff Sergeant Wenger repeatedly exposed himself to the heavy volume of fire in order to organize his men for an assault, which when launched was so rapidly carried out and effective, that it carried them to within hearing distance of the enemy’s commands. This aggressive action forced the enemy to call in mortar fire on their own positions. Despite the face that he received two wounds during the assault, Staff Sergeant Wenger directed his men in an orderly withdrawal from the exploding mortars and evacuated the wounded. Upon arriving at a helicopter landing zone, he refused medical evacuation until the last man was safely aboard the helicopters. His leadership, presence of mind while under enemy fire, and courageous example, served as an inspiration to those under his command. By his daring actions, professional competence and loyal devotion to duty, Staff Sergeant Wenger upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.