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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) Allan Raymond Wetzel (ASN: 0-94010), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Captain Wetzel distinguished himself by heroic actions on 13 April 1968, while serving as Company Commander for Company A, 2d Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, during a reactionary operation in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. As Company A arrived at their destination they located a well concealed Viet Cong base camp. Upon their attempt to enter the base camp Company A began receiving a heavy volume of grenades, small arms, and automatic weapons fire. His unit began taking casualties and Captain Wetzel, with complete disregard for his own safety, moved his command vehicle to the front where he could more effectively direct his men. He exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he used hand signals to keep his armored vehicles on line. Realizing the difficulty of engaging a well-fortified hostile force Captain Wetzel dismounted his armored personnel carrier and moved through the enemy fire to direct his men in the elimination of a Viet Cong position. He then crawled to within 15 feet of an enemy bunker and placed suppressive fire on the hostile position while his men evacuated the wounded. He continuously exposed himself to the intense enemy fire until the Viet Cong positions were destroyed. Due to Captain Wetzel’s valorous actions and outstanding leadership the enemy force was defeated and the mission successfully completed. Captain Wetzel’s personal bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Armor)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    14th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1968
    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3654 (July 30, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Armor) Allan Raymond Wetzel (ASN: 0-94010), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Wetzel distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 February 1968 as commanding officer of an infantry unit conducting a mission in the city of Tay Ninh. His company, reinforced by an attached platoon approached a wall near the temple grounds, it suddenly encountered an intense volume of automatic weapons, grenade and rocket fire from a battalion-sized enemy force. Captain Wetzel quickly deployed his men and directed their suppressive fire on the insurgents. He then crawled to the lead element’s position and found that it had sustained heavy casualties. It was also in danger of being subjected to a flank attack. Captain Wetzel returned to the main element and led a spoiling attack to the temple wall to prevent the enemy from dividing his company and isolating its elements. His men were driven back by heavy automatic weapons fire and he regrouped them for another assault. As he did so, he observed an enemy soldier preparing to fire a rocket at an American armored personnel carrier. Unable to warn the vehicle’s crew from his position, he dashed through the intense hostile fire to the carrier and arrived at the vehicle at the same moment it was struck by the enemy round. Despite the wounds he sustained from the exploding rocket, he immediately evacuated the vehicle’s crew members to a position of safety. At the same time, the insurgent forces assaulted his company’s position. Moving to a holding position along the wall to his rear, Captain Wetzel and six of his men completely halted the enemy’s attack with a deadly barrage of grenade and rifle fire. After reinforcements had arrived, he personally directed the extraction of the wounded. Captain Wetzel’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.