TFH 6/22: Captain Gail W. Furrow, USA

The Vietnamese Airborne Division was an elite component of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Unlike most South Vietnamese army units, the Airborne soldiers were not detailed to a particular region for combat. Instead, from their headquarters near Saigon, they were deployed to combat "hot zones" as needed for action.

Like most South Vietnamese units, the native "Red Berets" had American advisors attached to them from the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). One of these advisors was Captain Gail W. Furrow of the United States Army.

Forty years ago today in action with the Vietnamese 11th Airborne Battalion, Captain Furrow showed the best the American soldier can offer on the battlefield, regardless of whether the soldiers surrounding him are fellow Americans or allies. His courage saw him decorated with the second-highest award he could have received: 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 pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Gail W. Furrow, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Furrow distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 June 1972 while serving as Senior Advisor, 11th Airborne Battalion, Airborne Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 22 June 1972, Captain Furrow's unit was attacked by a tank regiment and a battalion of infantry while occupying a defensive position in the vicinity of Quang Tri, Military Region I. Completely disregarding a wound he received early in the fight, Captain Furrow moved onto a burning friendly tank and dragged two wounded crewmen to safety. He then fought his way to an exposed observation point, stopping only long enough to personally move an antitank weapons system to a more safe position. He then defended the position against the swarming troops until tactical air support arrived. Once air assets became available, Captain Furrow repeatedly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire in order to place accurate airstrikes on the enemy assault waves. Relentlessly applying pressure, Captain Furrow caused the enemy to break off the attack and withdraw. His actions saved the battalion from almost certain devastation. Captain Furrow's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

As of 2003, Gail W. Furrow was still living. I believe him to still be living as I was not able to locate an obituary or a burial listing on the Department of Veterans Affairs Grave Locator. The Vietnamese Airborne Division and the brave Americans who served with them are honored with a marker at Arlington National Cemetery.