Veteran's Day

My mom recently send me this awesome bit of old news and I'd like to share this beautiful award that my dad received:

Department of the Army

Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam

APO San Francisco 96375

 

General Orders

Number 3298

12 July 1968

 

AWARD OF THE SOLDIER'S MEDAL

 

 

1.  TC 320.  The following AWARD is announce.

 

DAD [personal information removed] CAPTAIN MEDICAL CORPS  Unites States Army, 3d Field Hospital, 68th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, APO 96384

Awarded:  Soldier's Medal

Date action:  24 April 1968

Theater:  Republic of Vietnam

Reason:  For herosim not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam:  Captain DAD distinguised himself by valorous actions on 24 April 1968 in Saigon.  As he was standing in a hospital emergency room, he saw a psychiatric patient, who was under military police guard, grab an infant from the arms of its mother. The patient then seized a spindle used to hold appointment slips and held it to the baby's heart, threatening to stab the child if the guard did not surrender his weapon. The patient then backed out of the emergency room, holding the infant in his left arm and the spindle against its heart with his right hand. Captain DAD slowly began approaching the patient, talking to him and trying to soothe him. The patient continued to back away and did not respond to his talk.    Captain DAD tackled and over-powered the patient, trapping him and pinning his arms to his sides.  His fearless acts saved the life of the child and prevented the patient from escaping.  Captain DAD's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himsef, his unit, and the United States Army.

 

Authority:  By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 2 July 1926.