George MARTIN Scheets

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to George Martin Scheets, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army. For gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 12 September 1968 to 13 September 1968. Lieutenant Colonel Scheets distinguished himself while serving as Battalion Commander with 3d Battalion (Airborne), 187th Infantry, on a combat operation near Trung Lap, Republic of Vietnam. On 12 and 13 September 1968 Lieutenant Colonel Scheets was in command of a three company task force, only one of which was from his own battalion. Early on the morning of 12 September 1968, United States forces made contact with an undetermined number of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Lieutenant Colonel Scheets and his task force were given the mission of intercepting and destroying the hostile force. One of his sub-elements, having made heavy contact with the enemy, requested that reinforcements be sent. Lieutenant Colonel Scheets, with complete disregard for his own safety, immediately moved to the close proximity of the fighting and directed the movements of his units. Throughout the ensuing battle, he personally aided and directed extremely effective artillery fire until the enemy had been completely repelled and all the wounded had been evacuated. Lieutenant Colonel Scheets’ gallantry in action to close combat against a numerically superior hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
By direction of the President of the United States under the provisions of an Act of Congress approved 9 July 1918.