TISSLER, JOHN G 073-40-1402 FIRST LIEUTENANT FIELD ARTILLERY United States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3d Battalion, 34th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, APO 96370 For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: First Lieutenant Tissler distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 March 1969 while serving as a forward observer during a reconnaissance-in-force mission north of Ben Tre in Kien Hoa Province. As the company was moving into night ambush positions, an enemy force opened fire. Lieutenant Tissler immediately retaliated with his rifle and sought cover in a shallow canal. Finding himself alone well forward of his unit’s position with a radio damaged by hostile rounds, he proceeded to rejoin his group. As he moved along the ditch, he encountered fire from a sniper hidden in a tree. He quickly killed the sniper and moved toward a machine gun emplacement, which he destroyed with a grenade. Soon he detected a Viet Cong squad of twenty, maneuvering into a position to assault the friendly force. From his location behind a fallen tree, Lieutenant Tissler threw two grenades into their ranks and strafed them with rifle fire. With only two magazines left and perceiving that the enemy had started to surround him, he crawled along the canal until he came upon four friendly troops who were treating two casualties. He repaired their radio and contacted his unit. When the small group moved out to rejoin the main patrol, Lieutenant Tissler, acting as rear guard, killed two Viet Cong and wounded a third. As soon as he reached his unit, he asked for and received nine volunteers to search for five missing personnel. Until the missing were found or accounted for, he continued his efforts. First Lieutenant Tissler’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.

LTC. Tissler is a life member and resides in New Mexico.