The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Hubert Clarence VanPoll (ASN: 19488345), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam as a member of Detachment A-219, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Staff Sergeant VanPoll distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 June 1967 while serving as Special Forces platoon leader of a Mike Force Company which was moving to relieve a beleaguered Vietnamese unit near Dak To. As Sergeant VanPoll’s company moved along a heavily wooded trail, it received a sudden outburst of intense Viet Cong machine gun fire from concealed, fortified positions. When another American, who was leading a small element in counterattack, was hit, Sergeant VanPoll left his cover and, firing steadily, crawled toward the wounded man. Despite intense fire raking the ground all around him, he reached his comrade and administered first aid. He then picked up the wounded man and ran towards his own lines through a tremendous outburst of fire. Sergeant VanPoll was knocked to the ground by a grenade explosion, but struggled to his feet and reached a covered position. The insurgents’ attack intensified and as Sergeant VanPoll was treating his comrade’s wounds, he was mortally wounded himself, Staff Sergeant VanPoll’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Staff SergeantRegiment:
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)Division:
1st Special ForcesAction Date:
May 1, 1967
Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. *** (August 1, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Hubert Clarence VanPoll (ASN: 19488345), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant VanPoll distinguished himself by exceptionally valor action as a member of Detachment A-219, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, on 1 May 1967, while serving as Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese platoon during operations in the enemy controlled Dak Akoi Valley. When informed that a friendly unit was trapped by a well-armed North Vietnamese force, Sergeant VanPoll immediately organized elements of his platoon and led a mission to free the beleaguered unit. Heedless of the ravaging enemy fire, he maneuvered his troops into tactical positions and began delivering accurate fire into the hostile machine gun emplacements. He then led an advance and forced the enemy gunners to abandon their positions. Upon contact with the besieged unit, the friendly forces began receiving voluminous mortar fire which seriously wounded an American advisor. Sergeant VanPoll courageously charged through the onslaught of North Vietnamese fire to aid his wounded comrade. Disregarding his own safety, he pulled the man through the thick vegetation and hail of enemy bullets to safety. Sergeant VanPoll, realizing the growing danger to the friendly units, called in and directed air strikes on the North Vietnamese forces, driving them into retreat. His exemplary professionalism and determination were directly responsible for the prevention of extensive friendly casualties and the subsequent defeat of an enemy unit. Staff Sergeant VanPoll’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.