Spring 2022 Militaria & Collectibles Auction
Lot 194:
Description
Original Vietnam Killed in Action medal grouop to Sergeant Roque Perpetua Jr, a Hawaiian that was killed on Dec. 17, 1966 at Bong Son, South Vietnam as a member of D Company, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart with the following citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Roque Perpetua, Jr. (RA-10106904), Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. Platoon Sergeant Perpetua distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 17 December 1966, while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company D, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, during an air assault operation in the Republic of Vietnam. Moments after landing in an area of enemy operations, Sergeant Perpetua’s company began receiving sporadic hostile fire. Deploying his men on line, Sergeant Perpetua led the right flank of one platoon forward through a series of hedgerows toward the enemy positions. With bullets striking all around him, he moved up and down the lines encouraging his men and leading them through the intensifying hostile fire. As other elements became pinned down, Sergeant Perpetua continued leading his men forward until they were engaging the numerically superior force at a distance of less than thirty meters. Realizing at this point that the North Vietnamese force was much larger than originally suspected, Sergeant Perpetua endeavored to free his men from their tenuous position. Crawling up and down his lines through the intense enemy fire, Sergeant Perpetua located the key bunker to the enemy’s defensive network. Then, with complete disregard for his own safety, he stood up in the fire-swept field and advanced on the bunker, firing his rifle. Although startled by his aggressive action, the well entrenched enemy quickly recovered and began engaging the valiant sergeant with numerous automatic weapons. Even after he had been wounded, Sergeant Perpetua continued his one-man assault on the enemy position. He drove to within five meters of the bunker before falling mortally wounded. Sergeant Perpetua’s gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, General Orders No. 381 (January 28, 1967). The group includes his named and engraved Silver Star, Bronze Star with V for Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, and Purple Heart, all with their boxes of issue. Some copied research is included.
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