Thurman R. Brown 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 FIRST CLASS THURMAN BROWN
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 First Class Thurman Brown, 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 Brown 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. Although he was blown from his feet by a grenade directed at the 81-mm. mortar position to which he was approaching, he completely disregarded hi sown safety, charged the position, annihilated two Viet Cong who were attempting to take over the critical mortar position, and followed with the same effectiveness when four more were within five feet from his position. While continuing to employ the 81-mm. mortar on enemy targets, he noticed that the Viet Cong had captured a 60-mm. mortar and were using it from a position directly in front of him to assault the inner perimeter. Undaunted by the danger, he exposed himself to the intense gun fire, tossed three grenades, and put the mortar and five more Viet Cong troops out of action. Then, when the Viet Cong used a loudspeaker to transmit an appeal in both languages to the Vietnamese Strike Force and to the Americans to surrender, Sergeant Brown directed the 81-mm. mortar at the speaker and knocked it out of commission before the enemy finished their appeal in English. Throughout the violent battle that lasted five hours and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, he fought from his mortar position, simultaneously used his rifle, and assisted in preventing enemy attacks from materializing as the hostile troops made suicidal attempts to penetrate the perimeter. His courageous actions and determination contributed in great measure to the successful defense of the camp. Sergeant Brown’s conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military services.
