TFH 5/23: Sp4c. Robert Peter Scibilia, USA

Robert Peter Scibilia was born on May 9, 1948 and hailed from Nashua, New Hampshire. He was drafted into the United States Army for the Vietnam War and less than a month after his 21st birthday was serving as a rifleman with the 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment as part of the 9th Infantry Division.

On May 23, 1969 Scibilia's unit was beaten back by intense fire from the enemy's deep defensive positions. He crawled forward alone with only his rifle, hand grenades, and some anti-tank rockets to break up the enemy defenses and allow his unit to continue their attack. He ignored his wounds and kept fighting until he was cut down. For his courage, the Army posthumously awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross.


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 pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Robert Peter Scibilia, United States 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 B, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Scibilia distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 May 1969 while serving as a rifleman during a reconnaissance-in-force operation near My Tho in Kien Hoa Province. After the company had been inserted into the area, the enemy unleashed a barrage so intense that the unit was forced to withdraw and regroup. Armed with several M-72 light anti-tank weapons, grenades, and his rifle, Specialist Scibilia crawled toward the entrenched enemy and then stood to accurately fire his M-72 and silence the position. He then directed his fire against another fortification, eliminating the position and advancing against yet another which he destroyed with two hand grenades. Although wounded during this last action, he continued to press his attack until he was mortally wounded. Specialist Four Scibilia'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.

I could not determine where Robert Scibilia today rests in peace. His name is inscribed on Panel 24W, Line 90 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The 9th Infantry Division's colors were cased and the division inactivated in December 1991 with the post-Cold War drawdown of our Army. 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry continues in service as part of the 193rd Infantry Brigade at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. 3-60 Infantry's job is to convert civilians into soldiers as part of the Army's Basic Combat Training organization.