The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
ROCCO, LOUIS R.
Rank and organization: Warrant Officer
(then Sergeant First Class), U.S. Army, Advisory Team 162, U.S. Military Assistance
Command. Place and date: Northeast of Katum, Republic of Vietnam, 24 May 1970. Entered
service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 19 November 1938, Albuquerque, N. Mex.
Citation:
WO Rocco distinguished himself when he volunteered to accompany a medical evacuation team
on an urgent mission to evacuate 8 critically wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam
personnel. As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it became the target for intense
enemy automatic weapons fire. Disregarding his own safety, WO Rocco identified and placed
accurate suppressive fire on the enemy positions as the aircraft descended toward the
landing zone. Sustaining major damage from the enemy fire, the aircraft was forced to
crash land, causing WO Rocco to sustain a fractured wrist and hip and a severely bruised
back. Ignoring his injuries, he extracted the survivors from the burning wreckage,
sustaining burns to his own body. Despite intense enemy fire, WO Rocco carried each
unconscious man across approximately 20 meters of exposed terrain to the Army of the
Republic of Vietnam perimeter. On each trip, his severely burned hands and broken wrist
caused excruciating pain, but the lives of the unconscious crash survivors were more
important than his personal discomfort, and he continued his rescue efforts. Once inside
the friendly position, WO Rocco helped administer first aid to his wounded comrades until
his wounds and burns caused him to collapse and lose consciousness. His bravery under fire
and intense devotion to duty were directly responsible for saving 3 of his fellow soldiers
from certain death. His unparalleled bravery in the face of enemy fire, his complete
disregard for his own pain and injuries, and his performance were far above and beyond the
call of duty and were in keeping with the highest traditions of self-sacrifice and courage
of the military service.
|
