SGTM Lawrence J Ames

For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant First Class Ames distinguished himself while serving as Operations/Intelligence Advisor, Tra Bong District, Quang Nai Province. During the early morning hours of 8 September 1970, the Tra Bong District Headquarters came under intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and motor attack. Sergeant Ames and his teammates in the sleeping quarters responded immediately to the initial trust of the assault by maneuvering quickly to a bunker along the compound’s perimeter. Upon reaching the entrenchment, Sergeant Ames observed that many of his comrades had sustained injuries and were without medical supplies. Despite the peril presented by impacting motor rounds in the vicinity of the team house, Sergeant Ames raced to his quarters to secure an emergency first aid kit, returning to the bunker amid a hail of bullets. After assuring that the wounded would be cared for, Sergeant Ames learned that the unit’s radioman had been knocked from his feet in a blast and was forced to abandon the transmitter due to the heavy volume of hostile fire directed at him. Without hesitation, the sergeant exposed himself to volleys of enemy motor rounds and small arms bullets as he sprinted to the area in which the radio had been dropped. Sergeant Ames was unsuccessful in his search and was forced to return to the bunker. Realizing the dire necessity for the establishment of radio communications, Sergeant Ames once again ventured from the security of the entrenchment to locate the transmitter. Ignoring the myriad motor rounds falling around him, the sergeant searched the fire swept area and returned to the safety of the bunker only when he had possession of the radio. The blast had damaged a vital part of the transmitter, rendering it inoperable. Undaunted, Sergeant Ames raced from his secure position to the team house and retrieved the necessary electronic component. At this point the battle reached its crescendo. Every officer in the unit had been incapacitated by wounds, leaving the men without leadership. Sergeant Ames immediately took charge of the faltering troops and through his intrepid example, inspired his beleaguered comrades to rally and overcome the foe, forcing the enemy to retreat. Sergeant Ames’ 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.