Sunday, August 21, 2011

Military Monday - ARCOM with V Device for Ronald Harrig

[Hand-written 1968, although no specific date given]

"Green Bay Soldier Cited For Bravery in Vietnam

The Army Commendation Medal with V for Valor has been awarded to Sp 4 Ronald W. Harrig of Green Bay for gallantry in action in Vietnam.  Harrig, now stationed at Ft. Lewis, Wash., and due to be discharged in July, is the son of the late Eugene Harrig and Mrs. Mary Ann Harrig, 213 Berwyn St.

Harrig, then a private first class in Co. B, 3rd B., 22nd Infantry of the 25th Infantry Division, was cited for bravery during the repulse of a heavy North Vietnamese attack on his company's defensive position the night of April 12, 1968.  His battalion, in a night defensive perimeter during a reconnaissance in force, was attacked by a regiment of North Vietnamese regulars.

While his company pulled back to a secondary defensive position under heavy assault, Harrig held his ground and assisted in disrupting the enemy advance by heavy suppressive fire.  The attack was thrown back.

The 25-year-old soldier was born in Fond du Lac in 1943 and graduated from Preble High School in 1961.  After completing a course in accounting at the Northeastern Wisconsin Technical Institute, he enlisted in the army in July, 1967, and was sent to Vietnam in December.

Subsequent to his heroic action in April, Harrig was twice wounded - in June and again in July of last year."

NOTE:  This clipping was passed on to me by my mother-in-law in Green Bay, Wisconsin (and they had been passed on to her by her mother-in-law).  There is no date on the clipping apart from the year and no newspaper name.  The clipping most likely came from the Green Bay Press-Gazette