George HAROLD Fry

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to George Harold Fry (US-130-34-0945), Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a radio-telephone operator in Company D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, during combat operations in the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, on 11 July 1969. At approximately 1230 hours on the cited date, Company D was advancing along a trail when it encountered a heavy volume of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket propelled grenade fire from an unknown size enemy force in well-fortified positions. During the ensuing battle two battalion radio- telephone operators were killed and their radios destroyed. Then Company D lost contact with one of its platoons because of the uneven terrain. Realizing that control was impossible without effective communication, Specialist Fry climbed a nearby ridge in an attempt to make communication with all the company’s platoons. He remained fully unprotected from the enemy fire and effectively established radio contact within the company and to the Battalion Command Post, allowing the Company Commander to maneuver his elements and to coordinate with the Battalion S-3 element. Disregarding the hostile fire, Specialist Fry held his ground in order to relay messages. It was while relaying one of Company D’s messages that he was mortally wounded by the intense enemy fire. Specialist Fry’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders No. 13633 (November 12, 1969)