Gary George Wetzel
U.S. Army/Vietnam
S
p 4 c . G ary W etzel , 173 d A ssault H elicopter C ompany , distinguished
himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life on Jan. 8, 1968. Wetzel was serving as door gunner aboard a
helicopter which was part of an insertion force trapped in a landing zone
by intense and deadly hostile fire. He was going to the aid of his aircraft
commander when he was blown into a rice paddy and critically wounded by
two enemy rockets that exploded just inches from his location.
Although bleeding profusely due to the loss of his left arm and severe
wounds in his right arm, chest, and left leg, Wetzel staggered back to his
original position in his gun-well and took the enemy forces under fire. His
machine gun was the only weapon placing effective fire on the enemy at
that time. Through a resolve that overcame the shock and intolerable pain
of his injuries, Wetzel remained at his position until he had eliminated the
automatic weapons emplacement that had been inflicting heavy casualties
on the American troops. Refusing to attend his own extensive wounds,
he attempted to return to the aid of his aircraft commander, passing out
multiple times from loss of blood.
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