A Note from The Virtual Wall
The MACV Summary for 06 May 1969 contains the following entry:
FSB CAROLYN was defended by the 2nd Bn, 8th Cavalry, which lost ten men in the fight:
- A Company:
- CPL William L. Negrini, West Covina, CA
- C Company:
- CPT Joseph Woodard, Winter Park, FL
- SGT Fruto J. Oquendo, New York, NY (Dist Svc Cross)
- CPL Jackie R. Mc Kenzie, Gainesville, GA
- E Company:
- SGT Gilbert G. Palacio, San Antonio, TX
- SP4 Jose Soto-Concepcion, New York, NY
- PFC Paul J. Kronthaler, Buffalo, NY
- HQ Company:
- 1LT Oliver A. Best, New York, NY
- SP4 Foster L. Sonnier, Opelousas, LA
- PFC Richard J. Daley, New Bedford, MA
Headquarters
US Army, Vietnam
APO San Francisco
17 July 1969
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 2673
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
Fruto James Oquendo Specialist Fourth Class
Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment
| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date action: |
6 May 1969 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Fruto James Oquendo, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Specialist Four Oquendo distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 May 1969 while serving as a machine gunner at a fire support base in Tay Ninh Province. In the early morning hours, the base began to receive heavy rocket and mortar fire followed by a ground assault. When a North Vietnamese regiment armed with machine guns and satchel charges rushed the perimeter, Specialist Oquendo detonated claymore mines and placed rifle fire into their advancing ranks. As the enemy attempted to blast openings in the wire barrier, he valiantly attempted to abort their efforts. Soon, however, the enemy forces penetrated the berm in several spots and began throwing grenades and small arms fire at Specialist Oquendo's position. He and several others in his bunker were wounded, but he refused to be evacuated. When he depleted his ammunition, he grabbed one of his wounded comrade's weapons and continued firing. In a determined bid to capture his bunker, the communists stormed his position. During the hand to hand struggle, he was mortally wounded while defending his area. Specialist Oquendo'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.
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| Authority: |
By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress.
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