TFH 2/29: Sp4c. Jerry D. McAfee, USA

Sorry for the late post, but I did find the story of a Leap Day hero. On  February 28-29, 1968 Specialist Fourth Class Jerry D. McAfee exhibited heroism in action worthy of our Nation's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

He was serving with the 2nd Squadron of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment on a reconnaissance mission near Bien Hoa when a South Vietnamese battalion found itself under heavy attack and needed immediate reinforcement.


From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Specialist Fourth Class Jerry D. McAfee (ASN: US-56585009), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Specialist Four McAfee distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 28 and 29 February 1968 as an armored vehicle driver during a reconnaissance-in-force mission at a village near Bien Hoa. On 28 February, a Vietnamese battalion was taken under intense automatic weapons and rocket fire by a Viet Cong force, and two platoons of Specialist McAfee's troop were dispatched to reinforce it. During their assault on the insurgent positions, Specialist McAfee's vehicle was struck by an enemy rocket, throwing two crew members from the track and seriously wounding a third. He drove his flaming vehicle through the enemy-held area and stopped at a stream where he removed his wounded comrade and concealed him in the underbrush. He then returned to the burning track to recover weapons and radio his position to his platoon leader. Unable to make contact, he went back to his injured comrade and remained with him throughout the night. On the morning of 29 February, Specialist McAfee carried the man to friendly lines. He next voluntarily led a dismounted patrol into the enemy-held village. Under his guidance, the patrol recovered a casualty from the previous day's battle and captured a North Vietnamese soldier. He then joined another assault on the enemy positions as a machine gunner. Specialist Four McAfee'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.

Today, the 2nd Squadron of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment serves as part of the opposing force to prepare our warriors for the battlefield at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA.