Willie Washington, Jr.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, has awarded the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class (then Staff Sergeant) Willie Washington, Jr. distinguished himself by gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 17 July 1968. Sergeant Washington’s company made contact with an estimated Viet Cong battalion near the city of Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province, Republic of Vietnam. During the evening there was a lull in the fighting and Company B was maneuvered to reinforce Company A. Sergeant Washington’s platoon received the mission of guiding Company B to the area of contact. Upon reaching this area, the entire element came under an intense volume of automatic weapons fire and a savage barrage of mortar and rocket fire. Company B maneuvered against the enemy and left Sergeant Washington’s platoon as a reactionary force. Company B became heavily engaged after darkness. Three men returned to Sergeant Washington’s position with a wounded man and informed him that many friendly casualties had been sustained. He quickly organized a group of volunteers and personally led these men forward to retrieve the friendly casualties. During this time one of his men was wounded while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade. Sergeant Washington ran fifty meters through the intense fire and pulled them both to safety. Sergeant Washington’s personal bravery and devotion to his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.