The update to this page began with the submission of photos and a copy of General Orders 10909, 18 September 1969 for the award of the Silver Star from Donna Mensing to post. The Virtual Wall's database documentation shows "Individual was killed while on a combat operation when a hostile force was encountered." His records also note SP4 Mensing was WIA during the encounter and died from his wounds. The Tuesday, August 12, 1969, daily summary from Military Assistance Command - Vietnam (MACV) read: "HQ MACV - - During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 149 indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the counry, 61 of which were against U.S. units or installations. Of the 149 attacks, 68 caused casualties or damage. U.S. casualties were 11 killed and 122 wounded." The Virtual Wall records show that the United States Army lost 13 men killed in the various 24 hour actions ending at 0800 hours on August 12th in what was called the TOAN THANG Offensive occurring at that time in Bin Long Province. See name list and full details of the attack on A Troop during the early morning hours.

Below is the depiction of the Silver Star Award orders for SP4 Stanley A Mensing. Details of the event in which SP4 Mensing made his ultimate sacrifice on the 12th of August 1969 contained in orders. A similar accounting would be used in the Citation that was presented posthumously to the family. Photos, Information, and General Orders provided by Donna Mensing. Department of the Army Headquarters 1st Infantry Division APO San Francisco 96345 General Orders Number 10909                                                                 18 September 1969 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR 1. TC 320.   The following AWARD is announced posthumously. MENSING, STANLEY A. (SSN) SPECIALIST FOUR United States Army Troop A 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry Awarded: Silver Star Date of action: 12 August 1969 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.  On this date, Specialist Mensing was serving as a gunner with his unit on a counterinsurgency operation near Quan Loi. At approximately 0230 hours, the troop was suddenly sujected to an intense automatic weapons, small arms, and rocket-propelled grenade fusillade followed by a massive human assault. Undaunted, Specialist Mensing immediately placed devastating suppressive fire on the insurgents trying to enter the perimeter. Throughout the course of the battle, Specialist Mensing disregarded his personal safety as he stood atop his track to place accurate fire on the aggressors as they tried to board his tank. While placing his devastating fire on the enemy, his armored vehicle was hit by four rocket-propelled grenade rounds which mortally wounded Specialist Mensing. His courageous initiative and exemplary professionalism in the face of overwhelming insurgent assaults makes Specialist Mensing a soldier of the highest caliber. Specialist Mensing's unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President, as established by the Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, and USARV Message 16695, dated 1 July 1966  FOR THE COMMANDER: OFFICIAL:                                      Name of CofS                                                       Colonel, GS (Signature)                                    Chief of Staff Name CPT, AGC Asst AG

Photos below were taken during his tour in Vietnam. His tour started February 26, 1969. Dates and locations unknown.

SP4 Mensing is buried in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Beckmeyer, Illinois. At the time of his death, he was survived by his parents, Veronica A and Alfred J Mensing. His father, a Sergeant in World War II, passed away in 2001 and his mother in 2005. They are buried in same cemetery. -- The Virtual Wall, December 23, 2013

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