MAJOR WILLIE MERKERSON (then First Lieutenant), Corps of Engineers, United States Army, Detachment A-223, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: First Lieutenant Merkerson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions as senior Special Forces advisor to a Vietnamese task force conducting a search and destroy mission in Binh Dinh Province. Lieutenant Merkerson repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire and led the two-company force against two North Vietnamese Army battalions. His unit was brought under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, and he moved along his lines, shouting encouragement, rallying the troops, and personally firing machine guns, mortars and grenade launchers. He fearlessly led an attack through the encirclement of the enemy and, under intense sniper fire, set up an evacuation and treatment center for his wounded troops. While rendering first aid to the wounded, he received word that one of his companies was trapped and a fellow advisor had been wounded. He refused airstrikes in the area and proceeded through 250 meters of enemy infested jungle before finding the wounded sergeant. He carried his comrade through intense machine gun and sniper fire to the evacuation area. While in the evacuation area, Lieutenant Merkerson directed air strikes on the enemy positions and called in a Medevac helicopter. He again exposed himself to enemy fire while going back and forth to the helicopter carrying the eleven wounded and five dead soldiers. His fearless leadership and sacrifice turned a possible disaster into a decisive victory. Lieutenant Merkerson’s extraordinary heroism and devotion 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.

Major Merkerson joined the Legion of Valor in 1975 and resides in Maryland.