http://www.virtualwall.org/dc/CarlsonGW01a.htm
*CARLSON, GARY WILLIAM
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Gary William Carlson (019-34-7170), Captain (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Carlson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1969 as troop commander during a reconnaissance-in-force operation. When the troop came under fire from a well-concealed enemy force, he immediately led his men in an assault on the hostile fortifications. Realizing that the crossfire was impeding the movement of his troop, he single-handedly assaulted and destroyed the most strategic hostile position. He then directed his fire against another enemy position, silencing it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Spotting a wounded comrade lying exposed to the enemy barrage, Captain Carlson braved the fusillade to move the man to safety. He then returned to the center of conflict to evacuate another casualty. As he returned to his vehicle, he was knocked to the ground by a rocket-propelled grenade which rendered his command vehicle inoperative. Braving a hail of fire to reach another vehicle, he resumed control of his troop. It was while he was directing this assault on the enemy that he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Captain Carlson'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.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3274 (August 23, 1969)
Home Town: West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
===========================================================
Posted Aug 13, 2010 @ 06:00 AM
WEST BRIDGEWATER —
A Vietnam veteran killed in action at age 23 will be honored at an annual ceremony Saturday to pay tribute to local soldiers who died in service.
Capt. Gary Carlson is this year's honoree at the Cochessett Veterans Memorial Garden, located on a traffic island between West and Beacon streets.
Carlson, who received the Distinguished Service Cross, seven Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and Purple Heart, will be the third soldier honored at the park's annual ceremony.
"Gary lost his life 41 years ago in a fierce battle in the far-away country of Vietnam while many in the states protested the war," said Carlson's sister, Doreen (Carlson) Ayers, who lives in Hampstead, N.H., and will attend Saturday's ceremony. "It's good to know he is not forgotten."
Several other family members will attend the noontime service Saturday, when the park's keepers will dedicate one of 300 bricks on a memorial walkway to Carlson.
The park was created in 2008, thanks to efforts by Dean Hardy and his family.
Copyright 2010 West Bridgewater Times. Some rights reserved
*CARLSON, GARY WILLIAM
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Gary William Carlson (019-34-7170), Captain (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Carlson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1969 as troop commander during a reconnaissance-in-force operation. When the troop came under fire from a well-concealed enemy force, he immediately led his men in an assault on the hostile fortifications. Realizing that the crossfire was impeding the movement of his troop, he single-handedly assaulted and destroyed the most strategic hostile position. He then directed his fire against another enemy position, silencing it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Spotting a wounded comrade lying exposed to the enemy barrage, Captain Carlson braved the fusillade to move the man to safety. He then returned to the center of conflict to evacuate another casualty. As he returned to his vehicle, he was knocked to the ground by a rocket-propelled grenade which rendered his command vehicle inoperative. Braving a hail of fire to reach another vehicle, he resumed control of his troop. It was while he was directing this assault on the enemy that he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Captain Carlson'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.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3274 (August 23, 1969)
Home Town: West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
===========================================================
Posted Aug 13, 2010 @ 06:00 AM
WEST BRIDGEWATER —
A Vietnam veteran killed in action at age 23 will be honored at an annual ceremony Saturday to pay tribute to local soldiers who died in service.
Capt. Gary Carlson is this year's honoree at the Cochessett Veterans Memorial Garden, located on a traffic island between West and Beacon streets.
Carlson, who received the Distinguished Service Cross, seven Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and Purple Heart, will be the third soldier honored at the park's annual ceremony.
"Gary lost his life 41 years ago in a fierce battle in the far-away country of Vietnam while many in the states protested the war," said Carlson's sister, Doreen (Carlson) Ayers, who lives in Hampstead, N.H., and will attend Saturday's ceremony. "It's good to know he is not forgotten."
Several other family members will attend the noontime service Saturday, when the park's keepers will dedicate one of 300 bricks on a memorial walkway to Carlson.
The park was created in 2008, thanks to efforts by Dean Hardy and his family.
Copyright 2010 West Bridgewater Times. Some rights reserved
http://www.virtualwall.org/dc/CarlsonGW01a.htm
*CARLSON, GARY WILLIAM
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Gary William Carlson (019-34-7170), Captain (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Carlson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1969 as troop commander during a reconnaissance-in-force operation. When the troop came under fire from a well-concealed enemy force, he immediately led his men in an assault on the hostile fortifications. Realizing that the crossfire was impeding the movement of his troop, he single-handedly assaulted and destroyed the most strategic hostile position. He then directed his fire against another enemy position, silencing it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Spotting a wounded comrade lying exposed to the enemy barrage, Captain Carlson braved the fusillade to move the man to safety. He then returned to the center of conflict to evacuate another casualty. As he returned to his vehicle, he was knocked to the ground by a rocket-propelled grenade which rendered his command vehicle inoperative. Braving a hail of fire to reach another vehicle, he resumed control of his troop. It was while he was directing this assault on the enemy that he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Captain Carlson'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.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3274 (August 23, 1969)
Home Town: West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
===========================================================
Posted Aug 13, 2010 @ 06:00 AM
WEST BRIDGEWATER —
A Vietnam veteran killed in action at age 23 will be honored at an annual ceremony Saturday to pay tribute to local soldiers who died in service.
Capt. Gary Carlson is this year's honoree at the Cochessett Veterans Memorial Garden, located on a traffic island between West and Beacon streets.
Carlson, who received the Distinguished Service Cross, seven Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and Purple Heart, will be the third soldier honored at the park's annual ceremony.
"Gary lost his life 41 years ago in a fierce battle in the far-away country of Vietnam while many in the states protested the war," said Carlson's sister, Doreen (Carlson) Ayers, who lives in Hampstead, N.H., and will attend Saturday's ceremony. "It's good to know he is not forgotten."
Several other family members will attend the noontime service Saturday, when the park's keepers will dedicate one of 300 bricks on a memorial walkway to Carlson.
The park was created in 2008, thanks to efforts by Dean Hardy and his family.
Copyright 2010 West Bridgewater Times. Some rights reserved
*CARLSON, GARY WILLIAM
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Gary William Carlson (019-34-7170), Captain (Armor), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop C, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Carlson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1969 as troop commander during a reconnaissance-in-force operation. When the troop came under fire from a well-concealed enemy force, he immediately led his men in an assault on the hostile fortifications. Realizing that the crossfire was impeding the movement of his troop, he single-handedly assaulted and destroyed the most strategic hostile position. He then directed his fire against another enemy position, silencing it with hand grenades and rifle fire. Spotting a wounded comrade lying exposed to the enemy barrage, Captain Carlson braved the fusillade to move the man to safety. He then returned to the center of conflict to evacuate another casualty. As he returned to his vehicle, he was knocked to the ground by a rocket-propelled grenade which rendered his command vehicle inoperative. Braving a hail of fire to reach another vehicle, he resumed control of his troop. It was while he was directing this assault on the enemy that he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Captain Carlson'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.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3274 (August 23, 1969)
Home Town: West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
===========================================================
Posted Aug 13, 2010 @ 06:00 AM
WEST BRIDGEWATER —
A Vietnam veteran killed in action at age 23 will be honored at an annual ceremony Saturday to pay tribute to local soldiers who died in service.
Capt. Gary Carlson is this year's honoree at the Cochessett Veterans Memorial Garden, located on a traffic island between West and Beacon streets.
Carlson, who received the Distinguished Service Cross, seven Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and Purple Heart, will be the third soldier honored at the park's annual ceremony.
"Gary lost his life 41 years ago in a fierce battle in the far-away country of Vietnam while many in the states protested the war," said Carlson's sister, Doreen (Carlson) Ayers, who lives in Hampstead, N.H., and will attend Saturday's ceremony. "It's good to know he is not forgotten."
Several other family members will attend the noontime service Saturday, when the park's keepers will dedicate one of 300 bricks on a memorial walkway to Carlson.
The park was created in 2008, thanks to efforts by Dean Hardy and his family.
Copyright 2010 West Bridgewater Times. Some rights reserved
