Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Division:

    Army of the Republic of Vietnam

    Action Date:

    October 11, 1966

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 18 (April 18, 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 Private First Class Duong Van Hue (SQ-190755), Army of the Republic of Vietnam, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 1st Company, 2d Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, on 11 October 1966. During a refueling operation at New Ca Mau Airfield, a fuel truck containing JP4 fuel exploded into flames when a leak developed and allowed the JP4 fuel to spill onto the hot manifold of the refueling pump. The truck was parked between three United States aircraft and burning fuel immediately began spilling onto the ground and spread rapidly to the nearest helicopter. Private Hue, not having a duty or responsibility to either the truck or the helicopter, burst from a group of about 200 Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers closest to the developing holocaust and ran straight to the truck. With complete disregard for his own personal safety he backed the truck away from the helicopter which had started to catch fire on the right side. Private Hue recognized that the truck still posed a danger to other aircraft and to massed troops standing about 100 feet to the front of the truck. With flames spreading rapidly and nearing the gas tank, Private Hue unhesitatingly turned the truck around and drove it through the only route off the aircraft parking apron into a water pond. Private Hue’s quick and valorous action allowed the crew of the helicopter to extinguish the fire, thereby saving it from certain destruction. This heroic act is credited with saving the HU-1D from certain destruction, and two other aircraft from probable destruction, and saving many United States and Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers from death or serious injury. Private Hue’s prompt and heroic action in this emergency is in the highest traditions of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and those of all the Free World Forces serving in Vietnam.