Medal of Honor Action Taken Today: 2nd Lt. Harold Durham Jr.
When his unit was overwhelmed in Vietnam, Army 2nd Lt. Harold B. Durham Jr. courageously called in artillery fire on the enemy to protect his fellow soldiers. Though he didn’t survive, his bravery was recounted by the men who were there with him.
October 17, 2024
On October 17, 1967, 2nd Lt. Harold Durham Jr. of the 1st Infantry Division’s 15th Field Artillery Regiment was serving as a forward observer with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, about 56 miles northwest of Saigon. Their mission was reconnaissance, and Durham’s role was to coordinate artillery fire for the infantry. However, the unit unknowingly walked into a Viet Cong stronghold.
During the ensuing battle, after driving the insurgents back twice with heavy casualties on both sides, Durham finally moved to a secondary defensive position. Despite being gravely wounded, Durham continued to call in artillery fire, refusing to seek cover. He positioned himself in a small clearing for a better view to adjust fire more accurately but was soon struck by enemy machine gun fire.
As he lay dying, Durham saw two Viet Cong approaching and killing wounded soldiers. With his last strength, he warned a nearby soldier, who was able to neutralize the attackers.
Lt. Clark Welch, Durham's company commander, later recalled seeing Durham, his hand blown off, using the stub of his wrist to press the radio button and continue directing fire.
Durham died shortly after, the radio handset still in his grasp, his heroism later remembered by the men who survived the Battle of Ong Thanh.