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 Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) John Winn McEnery (ASN: 0-57184), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 31 August 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while conducting an aerial reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Chanh Long, an observer spotted a Viet Cong force of unknown size hiding along a stream. Colonel McEnery immediately decided to engage the enemy force with his small force of two helicopters. He gained fire superiority by directing heavy suppressive fire from his helicopters and then ordered his small force into the Viet Cong-dominated area. Personally leading his men in close assault against the Communist positions, Colonel McEnery killed one Communist soldier at close range with his .45 caliber pistol and caused the surrender of another Communist soldier who provided allied intelligence with important information on Communist infiltration routes and techniques. Lieutenant Colonel McEnery’s heroic actions 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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Distinguished Service Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Armor)Batallion:
3d SquadronRegiment:
11th Armored Cavalry RegimentAction Date:
March 20, 1969
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2946 (August 4, 1969)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) John Winn McEnery (ASN: 0-57184), 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 & Headquarters Troop, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel McEnery distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 20 March 1969 as commanding officer during an assault on an enemy base camp. After having organized a combined armor and infantry task force to reinforce a platoon engaged with an enemy unit, he flew to the location of the firefight to assess the progress of his troops. Despite the heavy anti-aircraft barrage directed at his helicopter, he continued flying at a low altitude to direct the movement of the ground elements. When communication with his ground commanders was disrupted, he had his aircraft land in the combat area in order to maintain control of the attack on the hostile positions. After organizing his elements into an assault formation, he climbed into the deck of a tank and led the assault into the hostile base camp. Although he was wounded by grenade fragmentation, he persisted in directing the operation until the enemy had been eliminated. Only after he was assured that all of the casualties were receiving medical assistance and that a defensive position had been established for the night did he consent to his own evacuation. Colonel McEnery’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.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Armor) John Winn McEnery (ASN: 0-57184), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam from 1972 to 1973.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Armor)Batallion:
3d SquadronRegiment:
11th Armored Cavalry RegimentAction Date:
October 28, 1968
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1917 (December 17, 1968)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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) John Winn McEnery (ASN: 0-57184), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 28 October 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Colonel McEnery received an urgent call for assistance from an American advisor whose unit was engaged by an unknown-sized Communist force. Upon reaching the area of contact, Colonel McEnery immediately directed his pilot to land his command and control aircraft in the vicinity of the friendly forces in order to observe the progress of the engagement. Discovering that the enemy force was attempting to retreat, he directed the pilot to return to the air in order to maintain surveillance of the Communist escape routes. As the aircraft was taking off it suddenly came under an intense barrage of automatic weapons fire from three enemy soldiers. Reacting instantly, Colonel McEnery placed accurate small arms fire upon the hostile elements with his personal weapon, while directing the door gunner’s fire upon the enemy. Two of the enemy were immediately killed, but the third continued to engage the helicopter with small arms fire. While making a pass over the enemy soldier, Colonel McEnery wounded him with his personal weapon and continued to circle the hostile soldier until the friendly ground unit captured him. Lieutenant Colonel McEnery’s unwavering devotion to duty and heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Armor)Action Date:
July 1963 – June 1965
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 27 (August 13, 1965)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) John Winn McEnery (ASN: 0-57184), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period July 1963 to June 1965.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General John Winn McEnery, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 1981 to 1983. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General McEnery reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General John Winn McEnery, United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 1981 to 1983.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Armor)Batallion:
3d SquadronRegiment:
11th Armored Cavalry RegimentAction Date:
1968 – 1969
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) John Winn McEnery (ASN: 0-57184), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam, from 1968 to 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel McEnerny and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.