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Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special
Forces. Place and date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam,
1 April 1970.
CITATION:
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Beikirch, medical aid man,
Detachment B-24, Company B, distinguished himself during the defense of
Camp Dak Seang. The allied defenders suffered a number of casualties as a
result of an intense, devastating attack launched by the enemy from well
concealed positions surrounding the camp. Sgt. Beikirch, with complete
disregard for his personal safety, moved unhesitatingly through the
withering enemy fire to his fallen comrades, applied first aid to their
wounds and assisted them to the medical aid station. When informed that a
seriously injured American officer was lying in an exposed position, Sgt.
Beikirch ran immediately through the hail of fire. Although he was wounded
seriously by fragments from an exploding enemy mortar shell, Sgt. Beikirch
carried the officer to a medical aid station. Ignoring his own serious
injuries, Sgt. Beikirch left the relative safety of the medical bunker to
search for and evacuate other men who had been injured. He was again
wounded as he dragged a critically injured Vietnamese soldier to the
medical bunker while simultaneously applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
to sustain his life. Sgt. Beikirch again refused treatment and continued
his search for other casualties until he collapsed. Only then did he
permit himself to be treated. Sgt. Beikirch's complete devotion to the
welfare of his comrades, at the risk of his life are in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on
him, his unit, and the U.S. Army. |
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