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SFC (Later CWO)
Louis R. Rocco, Advisory Team 162, MACV, Vietnam, was awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action northeast of Katum, 24 May 1970. He
volunteered to accompany a medevac team to evacuate eight critically
wounded ARVN personnel. Approaching the landing zone, the
helicopter became the target for intense enemy fire. He identified
and placed suppressive fire on the enemy positions. Sustaining
major damage, the aircraft crashed, causing him to sustain a
fractured wrist and hip and a severely bruised back. He extracted
the crew from the burning wreckage and, ignoring intense enemy fire,
carried each unconscious man across 20 meters of exposed terrain to
the ARVN perimeter.
Once inside the friendly position, he administered first aid to his
comrades until his wounds caused him to collapse and lose
consciousness. His bravery under fire and devotion to duty were
directly responsible for saving three of his fellow soldiers from
certain death. SFC Rocco was inducted into the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame
on 17 February 2001. |
