Terrance D. Terrin Silver Star citation
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ESTABLISHED BY AN ACT OF CONGRESS 9 JULY 1918 (AMENDED BY ACT OF 25 JULY 1963) AND AWARDED BY THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SILVER STAR MEDAL
PRESENTED TO
SERGEANT TERRANCE D. TERRIN
UNITED STATES ARMY
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Terrance D. Terrin, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-726, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, on 6 July 1964. As a member of the United States Army Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong, Sergeant Terrin displayed courage and determination while participating in the defense of the installation when a reinforced Viet Cong battalion suddenly launched a full-scale, pre-dawn attack on the camp. Upon the initial onslaught, he rushed to his alert position, and then ran repeatedly in and out of a blazing dispensary to assist in the removal of medical supplies. While transporting the medical supplies from the burning building to a mortar position twenty-five yards away, he was undaunted by the hail of enemy gunfire as he dashed back and forth. He then bravely moved seventy-five yards to a mortar position and, for approximately one hour, remained in an exposed and well-illuminated position while engaging the enemy with outstanding effectiveness. Although he was wounded during this action, he ignored his own injury and moved around the inner perimeter under intense gunfire to administer medical aid to the wounded and to assist his team members in repelling the enemy action. When the long-awaited daylight brought defeat to the enemy, he voluntarily organized the civilian nurses and led them around the outer perimeter to administer medical aid to the wounded members of the Vietnamese Strike Force. Throughout the violent battle that lasted five hours and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, he demonstrated fortitude, perseverance, and devotion to duty which saved many lives and contributed to the successful defense of the camp. Sergeant Terrin’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military services.
From Flagstaff, Ariz.