Terry L. Courange

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star to Terry L. Courange, 54665115, Private First Class (F3), United States Army. For gallantry in action against a hostile force: On this date, during Operation Shenandoah II, Private First Class Courange was serving as a rifleman with an infantry company on a search and destroy mission near Loc Ninh. Late at night, his unit’s night defensive position received an intensive mortar attack, followed by ground assaults from a numerically superior Viet Cong force employing small arms, automatic weapons and rocket fire. Private First Class Courange immediately began placing heavy, accurate fire on the attacking insurgents. Despite the intensive automatic weapons and mortar fire being placed all around his position, he continued to fire at the insurgents and was largely responsible for blunting their attack on his sector of the perimeter. After 20 minutes of fighting, the Viet Cong tried to work around his position and, in doing so, succeeded in blowing up the bunker next to his with a rocket round. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Private First Class Courange braved the hostile fire as he moved to a more advantageous position and placed heavy, accurate automatic weapons fire on the insurgents approaching the shattered bunker, driving them away. He then moved into the bunker and began carrying the wounded to an aerial evacuation point. Afterward, he returned to the wreckage of the bunker and, despite his lack of cover, continued to fire at the enemy until the attackers had been driven off. His courage under fire and regard for the welfare of his comrades undoubtedly saved several lives. Private First Class Courange’s unquestionable valor in close combat with numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
By direction of the President, as established by an Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, and USARV Message 16695, dated 1 July 1966.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star to Terry L. Courange, 54665115, Specialist Four E4, United States Army. For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: On this date, Specialist Courange was serving as a rifleman with his battalion reconnaissance platoon on an operation northeast of Di An. When the friendly force was subjected to intense enemy rocket-propelled grenade, automatic weapons, and small arms fire, he moved into a defensive position and began returning a suppressive barrage on the Viet Cong. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Specialist Courange exposed himself to the insurgent’s fire raking the area as he proceeded forward into a ditch and carried several injured comrades to a more secure location. Observing a mortally wounded man lying in an open field, Specialist Courange led several companions through the hail of hostile rounds to retrieve the body. As Courange stood up and placed covering fire which enabled his comrades to remove the mortally injured soldier and carried him back to the main element. He exposed himself again to the Viet Cong barrage and moved to help another wounded companion who was providing rear security. Specialist Courange immediately moved to safety and placed covering fire, enabling a medical aidman to treat the casualty. The exemplary courage and bold determination demonstrated by Specialist Courange were instrumental in saving several friendly lives and significantly contributed toward the successful outcome of the encounter. Specialist Four Courange’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
By direction of the President, as established by the Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, and USARV Message 16695, dated 1 July 1966.