John G. Gertsch’s Silver Star citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class John Gerry Gertsch (ASN: RA-51577507), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam, on 5 March 1968. Private First Class Gertsch distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on combat operations in the vicinity of Phu Loc, Republic of Vietnam. The reconnaissance platoon (Tiger Force) became heavily engaged with an estimated North Vietnamese Army platoon firing from well-concealed and fortified positions with automatic weapons. The point man for the lead element, Private First Class Gertsch, immediately leaped into a trench alongside the trail when contact was initiated and began crawling forward in an attempt to close with and destroy the enemy machine gun emplacement. Although wounded in the initial burst of enemy fire, Private First Class Gertsch continued to move forward towards the unsuspecting North Vietnamese Army soldiers. He continued his movement forward until he was within the North Vietnamese perimeter. Once within the perimeter Private First Class Gertsch leaped to his feet and fought his way into the enemy ranks, killing and completely disrupting all organization and unity the enemy force had held. Private First Class Gertsch’s personal courage and devotion to duty was solely responsible for saving the lives of many of his fellow squad members and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.