VALOROUS UNIT AWARD

Criteria: The Valorous Unit Award is to be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent part for actions occurring on or after 3 August 1963.
The Valorous Unit Award requires a lesser degree of gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps than that required for the Presidential Unit Citation. Nevertheless, the unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its mission so as to set it apart from the other units participating in the same conflict. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Silver Star to an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air, is not sufficient.
This award will normally be earned by units that have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans. It is not reasonable to presume that entire units can sustain Silver Star performance for extended time periods under the most unusual circumstances. Only on rare occasions will a unit larger than a battalion qualify for this award.
Policy for awards, approving authority, and supply of the unit award emblem is contained in AR 600-8-22

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam
APO San Francisco 96376
GENERAL ORDERS...................................... ..............................................14 June 1971

NUMBER 2045 AWARD OF THE VALOROUS UNIT AWARD
TC 439. The following AWARD is announced.

By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of paragraph 202, 1g, (2), AR 672-1, the Valorous Unit Award is awarded following named units of the United States Army for extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations during the period indicated.

1ST BATTALION (MECHANIZED), 61ST INFANTRY, 1ST INFANTRY BRIGADE, 5TH DIVISION (MECHANIZED)and assigned and attached units:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 61st Infantry
Company A, 1st Battalion (mechanized), 61st Infantry
Company B, 1st Battalion (mechanized), 61st Infantry
Company C, 1st Battalion (mechanized), 61st Infantry
Company D, 1st Battalion (mechanized), 61st Infantry
Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor
Company D, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry
2d Platoon, Company A, 7th Engineer Battalion
Demolition Team 4, 3d Platoon , Company A 7th Engineer Battalion
Demolition Team 11, 3d Platoon , Company A 7th Engineer Battalion
Team 1-61, Interrogation of Prisoners of War Section, 517th Military Intelligence Detachment
Teams 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Section A, 43 Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog)

The citation reads as follows:
1ST BATTALION (MECHANIZED), 61ST INFANTRY, 1ST INFANTRY BRIGADE, 5TH INFANTRY DIVISION (MECHANIZED) and assigned and attached units distinguished themselves through extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations from 11 November to 13 November 1969 in Military Region 1, Republic of Vietnam. After establishing contact with two reinforced battalions of the 27 NVA Regiment occupying a strongly defended bunker complex in rough hilly terrain, the officers and men of the battalion demonstrated aggressive determination and uncommon valor in pursuing the enemy and directing supporting fire from tactical air support, Cobra gunships and artillery on enemy positions. Against a highly motivated and well equipped enemy force, the members of the 1st BATTALION (MECHANIZED), 61st INFANTRY, 1st INFANTRY BRIGADE, 5th INFANTRY DIVISION (MECHANIZED) enlisted all available resources and, without regard for their personal safety maintained the offensive which succeeded in rendering the 27th NVA Regiment combat ineffective. Through unfailing tenacity, professional courage and gallantry, battalion personnel significantly advanced the Free World Military effort in the Republic of Vietnam. The extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty displayed by the members of the 1st BATTALION (MECHANIZED, 61st INFANTRY, 1st INFANTRY BRIGADE, 5th INFANTRY DIVISION (MECHANIZED) are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect credit upon themselves, their unit and the Armed Forces of the United States.

FOR THE COMMANDER

CHARLES M. GETTYS
Major General, USA
Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL

C.A. STANFIEL
Colonel, AGC
Adjutant General

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