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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John Patrick Thomas Sullivan (MCSN: 0-1562037), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 10 August 1966. While Captain Sullivan’s Company was providing rear security for a Battalion march column near Tam Ky, the Battalion encountered a well entrenched enemy force. Leaving his Third Platoon to protect the column from increasing sniper fire, he maneuvered two platoons toward the enemy’s flank. Upon discovering a large number of casualties from Company A, he ordered the First Platoon to evacuate them while he moved forward with the Second Platoon. At this time, he received word from the Battalion Commander that a platoon from Company A was in danger of encirclement and was in need of ammunition and medical aid. Simultaneously, Captain Sullivan’s First Platoon Right Guide reported that one of his own squads was pinned down and badly hit by machine gun fire. Without hesitation, he sent his Second Platoon, minus one squad, to aid the threatened platoon from Company A and took the remaining squad and a sixty millimeter mortar to aid his own endangered squad. During the advance, one man was killed by the enemy machine gun, but the squad continued onward. Upon arrival, Captain Sullivan rallied his men and commenced withdrawal of the wounded under intense fire. Rain and heavy clouds prevented air strikes and the mortar could not be used because of its proximity to his own men. His small force was gaining fire superiority and the wounded were being evacuated when the enemy brought its mortars to bear on the Marine force. Already wounded men were wounded again, all the radio operators suffered wounds from fragments and Captain Sullivan sustained wounds in both legs. Although only semiconscious and in deep pain, he continued to direct his men in their valiant effort. After forcing the enemy to withdraw, he called napalm strikes close to his weakest flank. After calling for assistance, he and his men defended their position from the persistent enemy for more than an hour. Using radio, flares and a runner, he guided the relief forces into the area and established a security perimeter. When helicopters landed for the evacuation of equipment and the dead and wounded, enemy fire intensified. Refusing evacuation himself, he led the rest of his men back to friendly lines where they maintained a defensive position for the remainder of the night. Despite his severe wounds, he remained until the next morning when he had been assured all other wounded personnel had been evacuated. By his daring actions, indomitable courage, outstanding leadership and loyal devotion to duty, Captain Sullivan upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division

    Action Date:

    March 5 – November 12, 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain John Patrick Thomas Sullivan (MCSN: 0-1562037), United States Marine Corps, for meritorious service in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as Assistant Battalion Operations Officer of the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, from 5 March to 11 April 1966, and as Commanding Officer of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, from 12 April to 12 November 1966. Throughout this period, Captain Sullivan, then a Lieutenant, performed his duties in an exemplary manner. As Assistant Operations Officer, he organized, trained and led a Provisional Rifle Company composed of combat support and combat service support elements of the Battalion Landing Team. He rapidly and effectively molded this unit of inexperienced Marines into an efficient combat team and skillfully led them in Operation JACKSTAY, an amphibious operation in the swamps of the Rung Sat Special Zone near Saigon. Under his inspiring leadership, the unit inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in repeated contacts without suffering any casualties throughout the ten day operation. Upon assuming command of Company B, he displayed extreme professional competence, fearlessly leading his unit in another amphibious operation, OSAGE, and in seven battalion sized operations: MONTGOMERY, CHEYENNE II, APACHE, COLORADO, NAPA, MONTEREY and DOVER. After arriving at the location of the proposed Battalion Combat Base, Captain Sullivan tirelessly devoted his efforts and resourcefulness to the construction of suitable defensive positions. Despite fatiguing conditions, he successfully planned and executed more than fifty combat operations in and beyond the Battalion’s Tactical Area of Responsibility. Although his unit experienced an eighty percent turnover of personnel, his constant and vigorous training program enabled his Company to remain in a high level of combat readiness. Captain Sullivan’s exceptional professional skill, outstanding leadership, resourcefulness and loyal devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.