TFH 4/6: SFC Harvey Gordon Brande, USA

The Soldier's Medal was established in 1926 to recognize the heroism at risk to self not involving armed combat with the enemy. Harvey Gordon Brande was born in 1936 in Long Beach, CA. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1954 and was originally trained as a tank crew member. In 1963, he received training as a combat medic and also joined the US Army Special Forces. Green Beret Brande, while acting as a squad leader with a mobile guerilla force, witnessed a forward air controller plane crash near his location. He risked everything to try and save the crew, and was awarded the aforementioned Soldier's Medal.

From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Sergeant First Class Harvey Gordon Brande (ASN: RA-19507308), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Brande distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 April 1967 while serving as a Squad Leader in a mobile guerilla force in hostile territory. Sergeant Brande's platoon observed a forward air controller aircraft crash into a hillside while taking part in Operation BLACKJACK TWELVE. He and his men rushed to the scene to attempt to rescue the crew of the plane. Upon reaching the crash site, Sergeant Brande rushed into the burning aircraft to help any survivors. Just as he entered the aircraft, ammunition began to explode, and the fuel tanks ruptured spreading burning fuel over the area. Without regard for his own safety, Sergeant Brande continued to search the aircraft until he was positive that there were not any survivors. Only then did he leave the burning and exploding plane. Sergeant First Class Brande's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

While both outstanding and impressive, Brande's Soldier's Medal citation just scratches the surface of this great American.


Harvey Brand was also a two-time recipient of the Silver Star for his heroism during February 1968. The citation for his first award is available, and appears below:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Harvey Gordon Brande (ASN: RA-19507308), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-101, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Brande distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 and 7 February 1968, as Platoon Leader of a Vietnamese strike force defending against an attack on the Lang Vei Special Forces camp. Enemy sappers and infantrymen initiated an assault on the perimeter under the cover of darkness, and they were quickly followed by communist tanks. Firing furiously, Sergeant Brande killed two of the sappers and his platoon dispersed the remainder. The hostile armor quickly broke through the outer perimeter, and he engaged them with grenades and anti-tank weapons. Braving withering machine gun and cannon fire, he and his men fought determinedly for over an hour before they were forced to pull back to secure the inner defensive perimeter. His accurate fire destroyed two enemy tanks before he withdrew. Sergeant First Class Brande's gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

At the end of the battle on February 7, 1968, Brande, suffering from shrapnel wounds in his legs, was captured by the North Vietnamese enemy. Eleven days later, he managed to escape his captors and evade recapture for a week. His escape and evasion resulted in his second Silver Star award. Ultimately, he was recaptured and remained as a prisoner of our Communist enemy for 1,865 days before his release on March 16, 1973. He received the Prisoner of War Medal in recognition of his service in captivity after the award's establishment in 1985.

Harvey Brande retired from the Army in 1975 with the rank of Master Sergeant. I believe him to still be living. The 5th Special Forces Group continues its mission to liberate the oppressed from Fort Campbell, KY.