Howard C. Bustine, Jr.

First Sergeant Bunstine, US Army, distinguished himself while serving as detachment Leader with the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Advanced Air Assault Detachments.Second and third detachment where assaulting a heavily defended enemy position along a riverbank when it encountered a withering hail of fire from rockets, machine-guns and automatic weapons. First Sgt. Bunstine rallied several men and stormed across the river, overrunning several bunkers on the opposite shore. The rest of the detachments moved to the attacked. With utter disregard for his own safety First Sgt. Bunstine moved out under fire again pulling back his wounded, moving them to safety. During this act First Sgt. Bunstine was seriously wounded, but he refused medical aid and returned to his men. With relentless enemy fire disrupting the attack they stormed three enemy bunkers, destroying men with hand grenade and rifle fire, leading his men forward in a sweep of the area. First Sgt. Bunstine and his men destroyed three buildings housing enemy riflemen and at this time he was attacked by a North Vietnamese officer whom he fatally wounded with his bayonet. Finding his men under heavy fire from a house to the front, he proceeded alone to the building killing its occupants with rifle and grenades. Grenade fragments compounded his initial wounds, yet despite the multiple wounds and loss of blood, he continued to lead his men against intense enemy fire, neutralizing the final pocket of enemy resistance. First Sgt. Bunstine then established a final line and reorganized his men. not accepting treatment for his wounds until this was accomplished and not consenting to evacuation until his wounded had been evacuated. His supreme valor, inspiring leadership and heroic self sacrifice were directly responsible for the detachments success and provided a lasting example in personal courage for every man in the field.