1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced:
KING, RANDALL W. -------- SERGEANT United States Army BATTERY I (SEARCHLIGHT)
GO 3800
29TH ARTILLERY, APO 96266
Awarded: Silver Star
Date action: 22 February 1969
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Reason: Sergeant King distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations
involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 22 February 1969 while serving as a searchlight
crewman with Battery I (Searchlight), 29th Artillery, II Field Force Artillery, in the Republic of
Vietnam. On this date Sergeant King and his section chief were providing illumination on the
eastern perimeter of Long Binh Post. Sergeant King monitored a radio message reporting
rocket flashes and rounds impacting on the southern perimeter. With complete disregard for
safety, he and his section chief headed their open search-light vehicle toward the heavily
bombarded south perimeter moving directly through an intense mortar and grenade barrage.
Arriving at a bunker, they discovered several wounded soldiers on the ground. At great risk
to his own life, Sergeant King assisted in the evacuation of these men to a jeep in the rear,
although the area was under peak mortar and rocket attack and intense automatic weapons
fire. After the wounded had been evacuated, Sergeant King took up a fighting position on the
perimeter and laid down a high volume of suppressive fire. As he continued in his efforts to
defend the searchlight position, a mortar landed near his bunker and metal fragments knocked
the weapon from his hands, temporarily blinding him. With his weapon inoperative and the
other men in his bunker low on ammunition, Sergeant King volunteered to go for a resupply.
On his third trip, he encountered a wounded man and carried the man to safety. He then
returned to the searchlight position and proceeded to place effective machine gun fire on the
enemy. Sergeant King's gallantry and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United
States Army.
Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
OFFICIAL: ///Signator///
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- signed - Acting Chief of Staff
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Asst AG