06 Dec 2005 Platoon Sergeant Perpetua was killed to Bong Son on 17 December 1966. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions. I would like to hear from anyone who knew or served with PSgt Perpetua. Jim Mooney james_mooney76@hotmail.com HEADQUARTERS 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE) APO San Francisco 96490 28 Jan 1967 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 381 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. PERPETUA, ROQUE PSGT RA10106904 Company "D", 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Awarded: Silver Star Medal Date action: 17 Dec 1966 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For gallantry in action: Platoon Sergeant Perpetua distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 17 December 1966, while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company D, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry, during an air assault operation in the Republic of Vietnam. Moments after landing in an area of enemy operations, Sergeant Perpetua's company began receiving sporadic hostile fire. Deploying his men on line, Sergeant Perpetua led the right flank of one platoon forward through a series of hedgerows toward the enemy positions. With bullets striking all around him, he moved up and down the lines encouraging his men and leading them through the intensifying hostile fire. As other elements became pinned down, Sergeant Perpetua continued leading his men forward until they were engaging the numerically superior force at a distance of less than thirty meters. Realizing at this point that the North Vietnamese force was much larger than originally suspected, Sergeant Perpetua endeavored to free his men from their tenuous position. Crawling up and down his lines through the intense enemy fire, Sergeant Perpetua located the key bunker to the enemy's defensive network. Then, with complete disregard for his own safety, he stood up in the fire-swept field and advanced on the bunker, firing his rifle. Although startled by his aggressive action, the well entrenched enemy quickly recovered and began engaging the valiant sergeant with numerous automatic weapons. Even after he had been wounded, Sergeant Perpetua continued his one-man assault on the enemy position. He drove to within five meters of the bunker before falling mortally wounded. Sergeant Perpetua's gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918. FOR THE COMMANDER: Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: Adjutant General

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 17 Dec 1966 the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, fought a vicious battle near Bong Son in Binh Dinh Province. The cavalrymen ended the day with 29 dead - five from Company A, six from Company B, one from HHC, and 17 from Company D: 1LT Chester G. Cox, Lawrenceburg, KY PSGT Willie L. Earnest, Sunflower, MS PSGT Donald J. Leemhuis, Clinton, OK PSGT Roque Perpetua, Kauai, HI SGT William D. Cook, San Jose, CA SGT Antonio Garcia, Chicago, IL CPL Jack J. Deaton, Indianapolis, IN SP4 Joe L. Lemon, Guy, AR SP4 Henry J. Nelson, New Haven, CT SP4 Jack L. Wilbur, Dayton, OH PFC Timothy D. Ewing, Exeter, CA PFC Eddie D. Hollandsworth, Big Spring, TX PFC Arnold M. Hull, Oak Hill, NY PFC Angel R. Luna, New York, NY PFC Charles H. McClennahan, New York, NY PFC Raymond D. Torrey, New York, NY PFC Darrell W. Wilson, Kennewick, WA The names of some of these men can be seen in the photo of the Wall above - SP4 Lemon and PFC Luna are just above PSGT Perpetua's name, and SP4 Wilbur and PFC Wilson are just below. Platoon Sergeant Perpetua was buried on 29 December 1966 in Plot 63, Section J, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.

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