US Army SP4 Michael Mangan: Distinguished Service Cross Recipient Vietnam War

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:
For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Mangan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 August 1968 while serving with a mechanized infantry company combating a large enemy force in the Ben Cui rubber plantation. The communists began a human wave assault. Specialist Mangan maneuvered his armored personnel carrier into a position from which it could deliver the most effective firepower and began firing his ligt anti-tank weapon into the charging enemy. Constantly exposed to the intense hostile fusillade, he continued firing until ordered to withdraw. As he maneuvered his assault vehicle into a defensive position, it was struck by an enemy rocket which caused it to burst into flames. Specialist Mangan again exposed himself to the communist's barrage to extinguish the fire and was wounded in the arm. The vehicle was then struck by a mortar round. Finding the carrier inoperative, he ran to another assault vehicle to assist its machinegunner in delivering suppressive fire on the enemy. When the gunner had expended his ammunition, Specialist Mangan ran through a hail of bullets to obtain a resupply from his demobilized track. As he climbed into the vehicle it was struck by a rocket, knocking him to the ground. Struggling to his feet, he picked up the vital ammunition and returned it to the machinegunner's position. While handing the resupply to his comrade, he was mortally wounded. Specialist Four Mangan's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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