Instead of boarding the litter basket to escape, Pitsenbarger chose to stay with the 20 Army infantrymen who remained on the ground, signaling a “wave-off” to the helicopter, which then flew to safety.
In the heat of the battle, as bullets flew and explosions erupted around them, an enemy grenade suddenly landed in close proximity to Corporal Perkins and three other Marines.
When he realized the company radio was damaged, and knowing communication with battalion headquarters was critical, he ran outside the defensive perimeter through a hail of enemy fire to recover a radio.
Sgt. Patterson and two other members of his assault team advanced under heavy fire to neutralize the bunkers with grenades and machine guns.
Cpl. Hudson lost his life in a tragic incident. He served with honor as a medical NCO.
Wounded three times during the battle, O'Malley refused evacuation and continued to provide covering fire from an exposed position until his squad had safely boarded the helicopters.
