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Ruppert Leon Sargent

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Ruppert Leon Sargent Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Hampton, Hampton City, Virginia, USA
Death
15 Mar 1967 (aged 29)
Vietnam
Burial
Hampton, Hampton City, Virginia, USA GPS-Latitude: 37.0206, Longitude: -76.3353
Plot
Hampton Section FI, Site 7596
Memorial ID
View Source
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. Sargent served as a First Lieutenant, United States Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service at Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, on March 15, 1967. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a platoon of Company B, 1st Lt. Sargent was investigating a reported Viet Cong meeting house and weapons cache. A tunnel entrance which 1st Lt. Sargent observed was booby trapped. He tried to destroy the booby trap and blow the cover from the tunnel using hand grenades, but this attempt was not successful. He and his demolition man moved in to destroy the booby trap and cover which flushed a Viet Cong soldier from the tunnel, who was immediately killed by the nearby platoon sergeant. 1st Lt. Sargent, the platoon sergeant, and a forward observer moved toward the tunnel entrance. As they approached, another Viet Cong emerged and threw 2 hand grenades that landed in the midst of the group. 1st Lt. Sargent fired 3 shots at the enemy then turned and unhesitatingly threw himself over the 2 grenades. He was mortally wounded, and his 2 companions were lightly wounded when the grenades exploded. By his courageous and selfless act of exceptional heroism, he saved the lives of the platoon sergeant and forward observer and prevented the injury or death of several other nearby comrades. 1st Lt. Sargent's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army".
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. Sargent served as a First Lieutenant, United States Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded his medal posthumously for service at Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, on March 15, 1967. His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a platoon of Company B, 1st Lt. Sargent was investigating a reported Viet Cong meeting house and weapons cache. A tunnel entrance which 1st Lt. Sargent observed was booby trapped. He tried to destroy the booby trap and blow the cover from the tunnel using hand grenades, but this attempt was not successful. He and his demolition man moved in to destroy the booby trap and cover which flushed a Viet Cong soldier from the tunnel, who was immediately killed by the nearby platoon sergeant. 1st Lt. Sargent, the platoon sergeant, and a forward observer moved toward the tunnel entrance. As they approached, another Viet Cong emerged and threw 2 hand grenades that landed in the midst of the group. 1st Lt. Sargent fired 3 shots at the enemy then turned and unhesitatingly threw himself over the 2 grenades. He was mortally wounded, and his 2 companions were lightly wounded when the grenades exploded. By his courageous and selfless act of exceptional heroism, he saved the lives of the platoon sergeant and forward observer and prevented the injury or death of several other nearby comrades. 1st Lt. Sargent's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army".

Bio by: The Silent Forgotten


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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Added: Sep 11, 2003
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7861166/ruppert_leon-sargent: accessed ), memorial page for Ruppert Leon Sargent (6 Jan 1938–15 Mar 1967), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7861166, citing Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Hampton City, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.