JOHN D. MINATRA, Sergeant First Class, United States Army, Airborne Division Advisory Detachment (Airborne), Advisory Team 162, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. For Extraordinary heroism in connection with operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant First Class Minatra distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 17 November to 19 November 1967 as advisor to a Vietnamese airborne infantry battalion on combat operations near Dak To. During this period the battalion was involved in an attack on Hill 1416. In the initial assault on the objective Sergeant Minatra’s Vietnamese counterpart was wounded and disabled. He immediately rallied the remainder of the unit and directed their movement and fire until the company executive officer assumed command. When the attack lost its momentum, Sergeant Minatra unhesitatingly moved forward under intense fire to an exposed position and directed air and artillery strikes against the enemy. On 19 November, while being briefed at the battalion command post, he was subjected to an intense enemy mortar barrage. Although wounded in the initial minutes of the attack, he refused medical evacuation and assisted the other casualties to safety. As the fussilade subsided, the enemy assaulted the battalion’s flank. Without regard for his safety Sergeant Minatra moved to the point of heaviest contact. He quickly and accurately directed close air support against the attackers. At one point, the bombs and napalm fell only thirty meters from his own position. As the enemy assault was beaten back the battalion counterattacked. Murderous enemy rocket, mortar and small arms fire threatened to halt the advance just short of the hill’s crest. Refusing to let the attack stall, Sergeant Minatra charged the hostile positions alone, killed a number of the enemy, and caused others to flee. The weary paratroopers, inspired by his actions, charged up the hill and completely overran the insurgents. Sergeant First Class Minatra’s extraordinary heroism and devotions to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army

Mr. Minatra joined the L.O.V. in 1987. He is a life member and resides in Tennessee.