Rancho Veterans
Kenneth Allen BuysSergeant1ST PLT, D CO, 1ST BN, 503RD INFANTRY, 173 ABN BDE Army of the United States 12 September 1947 - 03 March 1968 Anaheim, California Panel 42E Line 047 |
27 March 1968
GENERAL ORDERSAWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROISM
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.BUYS, KENNETH A. RA19853088 SERGEANT E5 UNITED STATES ARMY,
Company D (Provisional) 1st Battalion (Airborne) 503d Infantry
Awarded: | Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device | |
Date Action: | 3 March 1968 | |
Theater: | Republic of Vietnam | |
Reason: | For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Sergeant Buys distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 3 March 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam. On this day, the 1st platoon was the lead platoon for Company D and Sergeant Buys' squad was the lead squad. Sergeant Buys was the lead man when he discovered three enemy bunkers well concealed a few meters to his front and flanks. Knowing his entire element was in the line of fire of the bunkers, he knew the only action to take was to surprise the enemy and give his men the few precious seconds needed to seek cover. With this in mind, he initiated contact with a savage one man attack, catching the enemy totally off guard and allowing his men to get out of the line of fire. With no cover for him to hide behind, he held his ground putting out a devastating volume of aggressive fire until an enemy machinegun burst mortally wounded him. Sergeant Buys' outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery were in keeping with the highest military traditions and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. | |
Authority: | By direction of the President under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, and USARV Message 16695, AVA-S, 1 July 1966. |
OFFICIAL: KEITH B WOLFF Captain, AGC Assistant Adjutant General |
JOHN M. BYRNE Major, AGC Adjutant General |
From Nancy Livingston Guthery:
Our son Matthew is in the Navy – he served twice in Iraq – on the Nimitz when the war broke out. The second time he volunteered to serve under the Army in-country. He also volunteered for the Katrina clean-up and was there for three months. He is also my hero!