Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website Message Boards

General Louis Wagner, a very decorated soldier from the Vietnam War who earned the Distinguished Service Cross and eventually rose to the rank of full general has endorsed the petition for Audie.

Here is the General's citation for his Distinguished Service Cross:

"for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Advisory Team 4, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Wagner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period 29 April to 2 May 1972 while serving as Senior Advisor, 1st Armor Brigade, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The 1st Armor Brigade was ordered to protect Quang Tri City, at all cost, against three North Vietnamese Divisions supported by two regiments of tanks. As the enemy overwhelmed and shattered the brigade, Colonel Wagner's calm and exemplary gallantry and courage became a rallying symbol to the demoralized soldiers. Disregarding his own personal safety, Colonel Wagner maintained his position at the point of severest contact and was injured when his command personnel carrier was forced to cross a bridge destroyed by enemy artillery. Refusing aid, he assisted in evacuation of his counterpart who had been wounded. When the brigade was given the mission of breaking the North Vietnamese stranglehold on the supply route to the defenders of Quang Tri, Colonel Wagner, his injury still untreated, exposed himself continuously to enemy machine gun and antitank rocket fire while directing air strikes. As the brigade's position became less tenable and the North Vietnamese forces encircled it, Colonel Wagner's daring courage and calm leadership became the guiding force that enabled the South Vietnamese to extricate themselves without crippling losses. Although knowing that large elements of four North Vietnamese Divisions would isolate his position, Colonel Wagner elected to remain with his counterpart and attempt a breakthrough. As they received devastating enemy artillery and a two-sided enemy tank attack, Lieutenant Colonel Wagner led the brigade in a penetration of the enemy encirclement to friendly lines. Lieutenant Colonel Wagner's calm and fearless leadership was singularly responsible for preventing the 1st Armor Brigade's complete decimation and saved the lives of many of his South Vietnamese comrades. Lieutenant Colonel Wagner's conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."




Here is his wiki bio:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_C._Wagner,_Jr.





Here is his endorsement:









Beautiful penmanship for age 80!


Thanks,


Dave

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"I believe in all the men who stood up against the enemy, taking their beatings without whimper and their triumphs without boasting. The men who went and would go again to hell and back to preserve what our country thinks right and decent."

Thank you for sharing this one, Dave! What a great story there is behind this man's DSC.

Another great endorsement Dave. Dang I wish I had your resources ... amazing where you are finding these folks.

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Richard L. Rodgers
Webmaster
Audie Murphy Memorial Website

My Pleasure!

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"I believe in all the men who stood up against the enemy, taking their beatings without whimper and their triumphs without boasting. The men who went and would go again to hell and back to preserve what our country thinks right and decent."

Richard:

Thanks very much for the compliment. As I have told you over the last couple of years, I have "gamed" this out many times, and had a basic strategy in my mind of who, what, etc I wanted to get to sign and a basic order of importance.

Thanks,

Dave

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"I believe in all the men who stood up against the enemy, taking their beatings without whimper and their triumphs without boasting. The men who went and would go again to hell and back to preserve what our country thinks right and decent."

Dave,

Very impressive and I have to concur that he has the best handwriting of any 80 year old I have ever seen. I'm sure most of us wish ours was as good as his. Pretty soon you will have almost everyone left who served in the military signing this petition. You are the man!!!

Sharon

Christie:

Thanks, yes, his DSC actions were quite heroic!

Dave

_________________
"I believe in all the men who stood up against the enemy, taking their beatings without whimper and their triumphs without boasting. The men who went and would go again to hell and back to preserve what our country thinks right and decent."

Sharon:

It is from the old West Point days when they had to practice endlessly penmanship. But you are correct, best I have seen on any 80 year old.

Dave

_________________
"I believe in all the men who stood up against the enemy, taking their beatings without whimper and their triumphs without boasting. The men who went and would go again to hell and back to preserve what our country thinks right and decent."