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Jerry Wayne Wickam

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Jerry Wayne Wickam Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Leaf River, Ogle County, Illinois, USA
Death
6 Jan 1968 (aged 25)
Bình Phước, Vietnam
Burial
Leaf River, Ogle County, Illinois, USA GPS-Latitude: 42.1441, Longitude: -89.409
Memorial ID
View Source
Vietnam Congresional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Corporal, United States Army, Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service Near Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, on January 6, 1968. His citation reads-For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Wickam, distinguished himself while serving with Troop F. Troop F was conducting a reconnaissance in force mission southwest of Loc Ninh when the lead element of the friendly force was subjected to a heavy barrage of rocket, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from a well concealed enemy bunker complex. Disregarding the intense fire, Cpl. Wickam leaped from his armored vehicle and assaulted one of the enemy bunkers and threw a grenade into it, killing 2 enemy soldiers. He moved into the bunker, and with the aid of another soldier, began to remove the body of one Viet Cong when he detected the sound of an enemy grenade being charged. Cpl. Wickam warned his comrade and physically pushed him away from the grenade thus protecting him from the force of the blast. When a second Viet Cong bunker was discovered, he ran through a hail of enemy fire to deliver deadly fire into the bunker, killing one enemy soldier. He also captured 1 Viet Cong who later provided valuable information on enemy activity in the Loc Ninh area. After the patrol withdrew and an air strike was conducted, Cpl. Wickam led his men back to evaluate the success of the strike. They were immediately attacked again by enemy fire. Without hesitation, he charged the bunker from which the fire was being directed, enabling the remainder of his men to seek cover. He threw a grenade inside of the enemy's position killing 2 Viet Cong and destroying the bunker. Moments later he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Cpl. Wickam's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Vietnam Congresional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Corporal, United States Army, Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service Near Loc Ninh, Republic of Vietnam, on January 6, 1968. His citation reads-For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Wickam, distinguished himself while serving with Troop F. Troop F was conducting a reconnaissance in force mission southwest of Loc Ninh when the lead element of the friendly force was subjected to a heavy barrage of rocket, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from a well concealed enemy bunker complex. Disregarding the intense fire, Cpl. Wickam leaped from his armored vehicle and assaulted one of the enemy bunkers and threw a grenade into it, killing 2 enemy soldiers. He moved into the bunker, and with the aid of another soldier, began to remove the body of one Viet Cong when he detected the sound of an enemy grenade being charged. Cpl. Wickam warned his comrade and physically pushed him away from the grenade thus protecting him from the force of the blast. When a second Viet Cong bunker was discovered, he ran through a hail of enemy fire to deliver deadly fire into the bunker, killing one enemy soldier. He also captured 1 Viet Cong who later provided valuable information on enemy activity in the Loc Ninh area. After the patrol withdrew and an air strike was conducted, Cpl. Wickam led his men back to evaluate the success of the strike. They were immediately attacked again by enemy fire. Without hesitation, he charged the bunker from which the fire was being directed, enabling the remainder of his men to seek cover. He threw a grenade inside of the enemy's position killing 2 Viet Cong and destroying the bunker. Moments later he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Cpl. Wickam's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

Bio by: The Silent Forgotten


Inscription

ILLINOIS
CPL TRPF 11 ARMD CAV REGT
VIETNAM
MEDAL OF HONOR - PURPLE HEART



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: David Lee Zellers
  • Added: Apr 2, 2004
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8588234/jerry_wayne-wickam: accessed ), memorial page for Jerry Wayne Wickam (19 Jan 1942–6 Jan 1968), Find a Grave Memorial ID 8588234, citing Lightsville Cemetery, Leaf River, Ogle County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.